SOUTHERN HISTORY OF THE WAR, 



OFFICIAL REPORTS 



OF 



BATTLES, 



AS PUBLISHED BY ORDER OF THE CONFEDERATE 
CONGRESS AT RICHMOND. 






NEW YORK: 
CHAELES B. RICHARDSON, 

594 & 596 BROADWAY. 
1863. 



■CTIt 



f*t! 



OFFICIAL EEPOKTS 



OF 



BATTLES 



PUBLISHED BY ORDEK OF CONGEESS 



EICHMOND, VA.: 

ENQUIRER BOOK AND JOB PRESS. 

1862. 



REPORT OF GENERAL BEAUREGARD OF 
THE BATTLE OF MANASSAS. 



Head-quakteks Fiest Coeps Arsit of the Potomac, ) 
Manassas, August 26, 1861. f 

Geneeal :_ * * * The War Department having 
been informed by me, by telegraph on the 17th of July, of the 
movement of Gen. McDowell, Gen. Johnston was immediately 
ordered to form a junction of his army corps with mine, should the 
movement, in his judgment, be deemed advisable. Gen. Holmes 
was also directed to push forward with two regiments, a battery, 
and one company of cavalry. 

In view of these propositions, approaching reinforcements modi- 
fying my plan of operations so far as to determine on attacking the 
enemy at Centreville as soon as I should hear of the near approach 
of the two reinforcing columns, I sent one of my aids. Col. Chisholm, 
of South Carolina, to meet and communicate my plans to Gen. 
Johnston, and my wish that one portion of his force should mai'ch 
by the way of Aldie, and take the enemy on his right flank and in 
**he rear at Centreville. Difficulties, however, of an insuperable 
character in connection with means of transportation, and the 
marching condition of his troops, made this impracticable, and it 
was determined our forces should be united within the lines of Bull 
Run, and thence advance to the attack of the enemy. 

Gen. Johnston arrived here about noon on the 20th July, and 
being my senior in rank he necessarily assumed command of all the 
forces of the Confederate States, then concentrating at this point. 
Made acquainted with my plan of operations and dispositions to 
meet the enemy, he gave them his entire approval, and generously 
directed their execution under my command. 

In consequence of the untoward detention, however, of some five 
thousand (5000) of Gen, Johnston's army corps, resulting from the 
inadequate and imperfect means of transportation for so many troops 
at the disposition of the Manassas Gap Railroad, it became neces- 



b OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

sary, on the morning of the 21st, before daylight, to modify the 
jDlan accepted to suit the contingency of an immediate attack on 
our lines by the main force of the enemy, then plainly at hand. 

The enemy's forces, reported by their best-informed journals to 
be 55,000 strong, I had learned from reliable sources, on the night 
of the 20th, Avere being concentrated in and around Centreville, and 
along the Warrenton turnpike-road, to Bull Run, near which our 
respective pickets were in immediate proximity. This fact, with 
the conviction that, after his signal discomtiture on the 18th of 
July, before Blackburn's Ford — the centre of my lines — he would 
not renew the attack in that quarter, induced me at once to look for 
an attempt on my left flank, resting on the Stone- Bridge, which 
was but weakly guarded by men, as well as but slightly provided 
with artificial defensive appliances and artillery. 

In view of these palpable military conditions, by half-j^ast 4 a. m., 
on the 21st July, I had prepared and dispatched orders, directing 
the whole of the Confederate forces within the lines of Bull Run, 
including the brigade and regiments of Gen. Johnston, which had 
arrived at that time, to be held in readiness to march at a moment's 
notice. 

At that hour the following was the disposition of our forces : 

Ewell's brigade, constituted as on the 18th of July, remained in 
position at Union Mills Ford, his left extending along Bull Run, in 
the direction of McLean's Ford, and supported by Holmes' brigade, 
2d Tennessee and 1st Arkansas regiments a short distance to the 
rear — that is, at and near Camp Wigfall, 

D. R. Jones' brigade, from Ewell's left, in front of McLean's Ford, 
and along the stream to Longstreet's position. It was unchanged 
in organization, and was supported by Early's brigade, also un- 
changed, placed behind a thicket of young pines, a short distance in 
the rear of McLean's Ford. 

Longstreet's brigade held its former ground at Blackburn's Ford, 
from Jones' left to Bonham's right, at Mitchell's Ford, and was sup- 
ported by Jackson's brigade, consisting of Col. James L. Preston's 
4th, Harper's 5th, Allen's 2d, the 27th, Lieut.-col. Echoll's, and the 
33d, Cumming's Virginia regiments, 2611 strong, which were posted 
behind the skirting of pines to the rear of Blackburn's and Mitchell's 
Fords, and in the rear of this support was also Barksdale's 13th regi- 
ment Mississippi Volunteers, which had lately arrived from Lynch- 
burg. 

Aloiig the edge of the pine thicket, in rear of and equidistant 
^•om McLean's and Blackburn's Fords, ready to suj^port either 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 7 

position, I had also placed all of Bee's and Bartow's brigades that 
had arrived — namely, two comjianies of the 11th Mississippi, Lieut.- 
col. Liddell ; the 2d Mississippi, Col. Falkner, and the Alabama, 
with the 7th and 8th Georgia regiments (Col. Gartrell and Lieut.- 
col. Gardner), in all 2732 bayonets. 

Bonham's brigade, as before, held Mitchell's Ford, its right near 
Longstreet's left, its left extending in the direction of Cocke's right. 
It was organized as at the end of the 18th of July, with Jackson's 
brigade, as before said, as a support. 

Cocke's brigade, increased by seven companies of the 8th, Hun- 
ton's ; three companies of the 49th, Smith's Virginia regiments ; 
two companies of cavalry, and a battery under Rogers of four 6- 
pounders, occupied the line in front and rear of Bull Run, extending 
from the direction of Bonham's left, and guarding Island, Ball's, and 
Lewis' Fords, to the right of Evans' demi-brigade, near the Stone 
Bridge, also under Gen. Cocke's command. 

The latter held the Stone Bridge, and its left covered a farm ford 
about one mile above the bridge. 

Stewart's cavalry, some three hundred men of the ai-my of the 
Shenandoah, guarded the level ground extending in rear from Bon- 
ham's left to Cocke's right. 

Two companies of Radford's cavalry were held in reserve a short 
distance in rear of Mitchell's Ford, his left extending in the direc- 
tion of Stewart's right. 

Col. Pendleton's reserve battery of eight pieces was temporarily 
placed in rear of Bonham's extreme left. 

Major Walton's reserve battery of five guns was in position on 
McLean's farm, in a piece of woods in rear of Bee's right. 

Hampton's legion of six companies of infantry, six hundred strong, 
having arrived that morning by the cars from Richmond, was sub- 
sequently, as soon as it arrived, ordered forward to a position in 
immediate vicinity of the Lewis House, as a support for any troops 
engaged in that quarter. 

The effective force of all arms of the army of the Potomac on that 
eventful morning, including the garrison of Camp Pickens, did not 
exceed 21,833 and 29 guns. 

The army of the Shenandoah, ready for action on the field, may 
be set at, 6000 men and 20 guns. [That is, when the battle begun: 
Smith's brigade and Fisher's North Carolina came up later, and 
made total of army of Shenandoah engaged of all arms, 8334. Hill's 
Virginia regiment, 550, also arrived, but was posted as reserve to 
right flank.] 



8 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

The brigade of Gen. Holmes mustered about 1265 bayonets, 6 
guns, and a company of cavalry about ninety strong. 

Informed at half-past 5 a. m., by Col. Evans, that the enemy had 
deployed some 1200 men [these were what Col. Evans saw of Gen. 
Schenck's brigade of Gen, Tyler's division, and two other heavy 
brigades, in all over 9000 men and 13 pieces of artillery — Carlisle's 
and Ayres' batteries — that is, 900 men and two 6-pounders, con- 
fronted by 9000 men and 13 pieces of artillery, mostly rifled], with 
several pieces of artillery in his immediate front. I at once ordered 
him, as also Gen. Cocke, if attacked, to maintain their jjosition to 
the last extremity. 

In my opinion the most efiective method of reheving that flank 
was by a rapid, determined attack, with my right wing and centre 
on the enemy's flank and rear at Centre ville, with due precautions 
against the advance of his reserves from the direction of Washing- 
ton. By such a movement, I confidently expected to achieve a com- 
plete victory for my country by 1 2 o'clock, m. 

These new dispositions were submitted to Gen, Johnston, who 
fully approved them, and the orders for their immediate execution 
were at once issued. 

Brig.-gen. Ewell was directed to begin the movement, to be fol- 
lowed and supported successively by Gens. D. R. Jones, Long- 
street, and Bonham respectively, supported by their several ap- 
pointed reserves. 

The cavalry, under Stewart and Radford, were to be held in 
hand, subject to future orders and ready for employment as might 
be required by the exigencies of the battle. 

About half-past 8 o'clock, a. m.. Gen. Johnston and myself trans- 
ferred our head-quarters to a central position about half a mile in the 
rear of Mitchell's Ford, whence we might watch the course of 
events. 

Previously, as early as half-past 5, the Federalists in front of 
Evans' position. Stone Bridge, had opened with a large 30-pounder 
Parrot rifle gun, and thirty minutes later with a moderate, ap- 
parently tentative, fire from a battery of rifle pieces, directed first 
in front at Evans', and then in the direction of Cocke's position, 
but without drawing a return fire and discovery of our position, 
chiefly because in that quarter we had nothing but eight 6-pounder 
pieces, which could not reach the distant enemy. 

As the FederaUsts had advanced with an extended line of skir- 
mishers in front of Evans, that ofiicer promptly threw forward the 
two flank companies of the 4th South Carolina regiment, and one 



OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. \) 

company of Wheat's Louisiana battalion, deployed as skirmishers, 
to cover his small front. An occasional scattering fire resulted, and 
thus the two armies in that quarter remained I'or more than an 
hour, while the main body of the enemy was marching its dubious 
way through the " big forest " to take our forces in flank and rear. 

By half-past 8 a. m., Col. Evans having become satisfied of the 
counterfeit character of the movement on his front, and persuaded 
of an attempt to turn his left flank, decided to change his position 
to meet the enemy, and for this purpose immediately put in niotiou 
to his left and rear six companies of Sloan's 4th South Carolina 
regiment, Wheat's Louisiana battalion, five companies, and two 
6 -pounders of Latham's battery, leaving four companies of Sloan's 
regiment under cover as the sole immediate defence of the Stone 
Bridge, but giving information to Gen. Cocke of his change of po- 
sition and the reasons that impelled it. 

Following a road leading by the Old Pittsylvania (Carter) man- 
sion. Col. Evans formed in line of battle some four hundred yards 
in rear — as he advanced — of that house, his guns to the front and 
in position, pi'operly supported, to its immediate right. Finding, 
however, that the enemy did not appear on that road, which was a 
branch of one running by Sudley's Springs Ford to Brentsville and 
Dumfries, he turned abruptly to the left, and marching across the 
fields for three-quarters of a mile, about half-jjast 9 a. m., took a 
position in line of battle ; his left, Sloan's companies, resting on the 
main Brentsville road in a shallow ravine, the Louisiana battalion to 
the right, in advance some two hundred yards, a rectangular course 
of wood separating them — one piece of his artillery planted on an 
eminence some seven hundred yards to the rear of Wheat's bat- 
talion, and the other on a ridge near and in rear of Sloan's position, 
commanding a reach of the road just in front of the line of battle. 
In this order he awaited the coming of the masses of the enemy 
now drawing near. 

In the mean time, about V o'clock, a. m., Jackson's brigade, with 
Imboden's, and five pieces of Walton's battery, had been sent to 
take up a position along Bull Run, to guard the interval between 
Cocke's right and Bonham's left, with orders to support either in 
case of need — the character and topographical features of the 
ground having been shown to Gen. Jackson by Capt. D. R. Harris, 
of the Engineers, of this army corps. 

So much of Bee's and Bartow's brigades, now united, as had ar- 
rived — some 2800 muskets — had also been sent forward to the sup- 
port of the position of the Stone Bridge. 



10 OFFICIAL EI.TORTS OF BATTLES, 

The enemy beginning his detour from the tm-npike, at a point 
nearly half-way between Stone Bridge and Centreville, had pursued 
a tortuous, narrow trace of a rarely-used road, through a dense 
wood, the greater part of his way, until near the Sudley road. A 
division under Col. Hunter, of the Federal regular army, of two 
strong brigades, was in the advance, followed immediately by another 
division under Col. Heintzelman, of three brigades and seven compa- 
nies of regular cavalry and twenty-four pieces of artillery — eighteen 
of which were rifle guns. The column, as it crossed Bull Run, num- 
bered over sixteen thousand men of all arms, by their own accoimts. 

Burnside's brigade, which here, as at Fairfax Court-house, led the 
advance, at about forty-five minutes past 9 a. m., debouched from a 
wood in sight of Evans' position, some five hundred yards distant 
from Wheat's battalion. 

He immediately threw forward his skirmishers in force, and they 
became engaged with Wheat's command and the 6-pounder gun 
under Lieut. Leftwich. 

The Federalists at once advanced, as they report officially, the 
2d Rhode Island regiment, volunteers, with its vaunted battery of 
six 13-poxmder rifle guns. Sloan's companies were then brought 
into action, having been pushed forward through the woods. The 
■enemy soon, galled and staggered by the fire and pressed by the 
determined valor with which Wheat handled his battery until he 
was desperately wounded, hastened up three other regiments of the 
brigade and two Dahlgren howitzers, making in all quite 3500 bay- 
onets and eight pieces of artillery, opposed to less than 800 men 
and two G-jJounder guns. 

Despite these odds, this intrepid command of but eleven weak 
companies maintained its front to the enemy for quite an hour, and 
until Gen. Bee came to their aid with his command. The heroic 
Bee, with a soldier's eye and recognition of the situation, had pre- 
-viously disposed his command with skill — Imboden's battery having 
been admirably placed between the two brigades under shelter be- 
hind the undulations of a hill about one hundred and fifty yards 
north of the now famous Henry House, and very near where he 
subsequently fell mortally wounded, to the great misfortune of his 
country, but after deeds of deliberate and ever-memorable courage. 

Meanwhile, the enemy had pushed forward a battalion of eight 
companies of regular infantry and one of their best battei'ies of six 
pieces (four rifled), supported by four companies of marines, to in- 
crease the desperate odds against which Evans and his men had 
maintained their stand with an almost matchless tenacity. 



tDFFlCIAL REPORTS OF BATfLES. 1 1 

Gen. Bee now finding Evans sorely pressed under the crusbing 
weight of the masses of the enemy, at the call of Col. Evans threw 
forward his whole force to his aid across a small stream — Young's 
branch and valley — and engaged the Federalists with impetuosity ; 
Imboden's battery at the time playing from this well-chosen posi- 
tion with brilliant effect with spherical case, the enemy having first 
opened on him from a rifled battery, probably Griffin's, with elon- 
gated cylindrical shells, which flew a few feet over the heads of our 
men and exploded in the crest of the hill immediately in rear. 

As Bee advanced under a severe fii-e, he placed the 7th and 8th 
Georgia regiments, under the chivalrous Bartow, at about 11a. m., 
in a wood of second-growth pines, to the right and front of and 
nearly perpendicular to Evans' line of battle ; the 4th Alabama to 
the left of them, along a fence connecting the position of the 
Georgia regiments with the rectangular copse in which Sloan's 
South Carohna companies were engaged, and into which he also 
threw the 2d Mississippi. A fierce and destructive conflict now 
ensued ; the fire was withering on both sides, while the enemy 
swept our short, thin lines Avith their numerous artillery, which, ac- 
cording to their official reports, at this time consisted of at least ten 
rifled guns and four howitzers. For an hour did these stout-hearted 
men of the blended command of Bee, Evans, and Bartow breast an 
unintermitting bullet-storm, animated, surely, by something more 
than the ordinary courage of even the bravest men under fire. It 
must have been, indeed, the inspiration of the cause and conscious- 
ness of the great stake at issue, which thus nerved and animated 
one and all to stand unawed and unshrinking in such extremity. 

The Federal brigades of Heintzelman'a division were now brought 
into action, led by Ricketts' superb light battery of 6-pounder rifle 
guns, which, posted on an eminence to the right of the Sudley road, 
opened fire on Imboden's battery — about this time increased by two 
rifle pieces of the Washington Artillery, under Lieut. Ricliardson, 
and already the mark of two batteries, which divided their fire 
Avith Imboden, and two guns, under Lieuts. Richardson and Left- 
witch, of Latham's battery, posted as before mentioned. 

At this time, confronting the enemy, we had still but Evans' 
eleven companies and two guns — Bee's and Bartow's four regiments, 
the two companies 11th Mississippi, under Lieut.-col. Liddell, 
and the six pieces under Imboden and Richardson. The enemy 
had two divisions of four strong brigades, including seventeen com- 
panies of regular infantry, cavahy, and artillery, four companies of 
marines, and twenty pieces of artillery. [See official reports of 



12 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Cols. Heintzelraan, Porter, &c.] Against this oclds, scarcely credi- 
ble, our advance position was still for a Avhile maintained, and the 
enemy's ranks constantly broken and shattered under the scorching 
fire of our men ; but fresh regiments of the Federalists came upon 
the field — Sherman's and Keyes' bi'igades, of Tyler's division — as is 
stated in their reports, numbering over six thousand bayonets, 
which had found a passage across the run about eight hundred yards 
above the Stone Bridge, threatened our right. 

Heavy losses had now been sustained on our side, both in num- 
bers and in the personal worth of the slain. The Georgia regiment 
had suffered heavily, being exposed, as it took and maintained its 
position, to a fire from the enemy, already posted within a hundi"ed 
yards of their front and right, sheltered by fences and other cover. 
It was at this time that Lieut.-col. Gardener was severely wounded, 
as also sevei-al other valuable officers ; the adjutant of the regiment, 
Lieut. Branch, was killed, and the horse of the regretted Bartov/ 
was shot under him. The Fourth Alabama also suffered severely 
from the deadly fire of the thousands of muskets which they so 
dauntlessly fronted, under the immediate leadership of Bee himself. 
Its brave colonel, E. J. Jones, was dangerously wounded, and many 
gallant officers fell, slain or hors de combat. 

Now, however, with the surging mass of over fourteen thousand 
Federal infantry pressing on their front, and under the incessant fire 
of at least twenty pieces of artillery, with the fresh brigades of Sher- 
man and Keyes approaching — the latter already in musket range — 
our lines gave back, but under orders from Gen. Bee. 

The enemy, maintaining the fire, pressed their swelling masses 
onward as our shattered battalions retired ; the slaughter for the 
moment was deplorable, and has filled many a Southern home with 
life-long sorrow. 

Under this inexorable stress the retreat continued until arrested 
by the energy and resolution of Gen. Bee, supported by Bartow 
and Evans, just in the rear of the Robinson House, and Hampton's 
legion, which had been already advanced, and was in position 
near it. 

Imboden's battery, which had been handled with marked skill, 
but whose men were almost exhausted, and the two pieces of Wal- 
ton's battery, under Lieut. Richardson, being threatened by the 
enemy's infantry on the left and front, were also obliged to fall back. 
Imboden, leaving a disabled piece on the ground, retired until he 
met Jackson's brigade, while Richardson joined the main body of 
his battery near the Lewis House. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 13 

As our infantry retired from the extreme front, the two six- 
pounders of Latham's battery, before mentioned, fell back with ex- 
cellent judgment to suitable positions in the rear, when an effective 
fire was maintained upon the still advancing line of the Federalists 
with damaging effect, until their ammunition was nearly exhausted, 
when they, too, were withdrawn in the near presence of the enemy, 
and rejoined their captain. 

From the point previously indicated, where Gen. Johnston had 
established our head-quarters, we heard the continuous roll of mus- 
ketry and the sustained din of the artillery, which announced the 
serious outburst of the battle on our left flank, and we anxiously, 
but confidently, awaited similar sounds of conflict from our front at 
Centreville, resulting from the prescribed attack in that quarter by 
our right wing. 

At half-past ten in the morning, however, this expectation was 
dissipated, from Brig.-gen. Ewell informing me, to my profound dis- 
appointment, that my orders for his advance had miscarried, but 
that, in consequence of a communication from Gen, D. R. Jones, he 
had just thrown his brigade across the stream at Union Mills. But, 
in my judgment, it was now too late for the eflective execution of 
the contemplated movement, which must have required quite three 
hours for the troops to get into position for the attack ; therefore it 
became immediately necessary to depend on new combinations and 
other dispositions suited to the now pressing exigency. 

The movement of the right and centre, already begun by Jones 
and Longstreet, was at once countermanded with the sanction of 
Gen. Johnston, and we arranged to meet the enemy on the field 
upon which he had chosen to give us battle. Under these circum- 
stances our reserves, not already in movement, were immediately 
ordered up to support our left flank, namely : Holmes' two regiments 
and battery of artillery, under Capt. Lindsey Walker, of six guns, 
and- Early's brigade. Two regiments from Bonham's brigade, 
with Kemper's four six-pounders, were also called for, and, with the 
sanction of Gen. Johnston, Gens. Ewell, Jones (D. R.), Longstreet, 
and Bonham were directed to make a demonstration to their several 
fronts, to retain and engross the enemy's reserves and forces on 
their flank, and at and around Centreville. Previously our respec- 
tive chiefs of staff — Major Rhett and Col. Jordan — b,ad been left at 
my head-quarters to hasten up, and give directions to any troops 
that might arrive at Manassas. 

These orders having been duly disjiatched by staff officers, at 
10.30 A. M. Gen. Jolmston and myself set out for the immediate 



l-ir OrnCIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Held of action, wliicli we reached in the rear of the Robinson and 
widow Henry's houses, at about 12 meridian, and just as the com- 
mands of Bee, Bartow, and Evans had taken shelter in a wooded 
ravine behind the former, stoutly held at the time by Hampton with 
his legion, which had made a stand there after having previously 
been as far forward as the turnpike, where Lieut.-col. Johnston, an 
officer of brilliant promise, was killed, and other severe losses were 
sustained. 

Before our arrival upon the scene. Gen. Jackson had moved for- 
ward with his brigade of five Virginia regiments from his position 
in reserve, and had judiciously taken post below the brim of the 
plateau, nearly east of the Henry House, and to the left of the ra- 
vine and woods occupied by the mingled remnants of Bee's, Bartow's, 
and Evans' commands, with Imboden's battery, and two of Stan- 
ard's pieces placed so as to play upon the oncoming enemy, sup- 
ported in the immediate rear by Col. J. L. Preston's and Lieut.-col. 
Echoll's regiments, on the right by Harper's, and on the lefl by 
Allen's and Cumming's regiments. 

As soon as Gen. Johnston and myself reached the field, we were 
occupied with the reorganization of the heroic troops, whosg previ- 
ous stand, with scarce a parallel, has nothing more valiajit in all the 
pages of history, and whose losses fitly tell why, at length, their 
lines had lost their cohesion. It was now that Gen. Johnston im- 
pressively and gallantly charged to the front with the colors of the 
Fourth Alabama regiment by his side, all the field officers of the 
regiment having been previously disabled. Shortly afterwards I 
placed S. R. Gist, Adjutant and Inspector-general of South Carolina, 
a volunteer aid-de-Camp of Gen. Bee, in command of this regiment, 
and who led it again to the front as became its previous behavior, 
and remained with it for the rest of the day. 

As soon as we had thus rallied and disposed our forces, I urged 
Gen. Johnston to leave the immediate conduct of the field tome, 
while he, repairing to Portico — the Lewis House — should urge re- 
inforcements forward. At first he was unwilling, but reminded that 
one of us must do so, and that properly it was his place, he reluc- 
tantly, but fortunately, complied ; fortunately, because from that 
position, by his energy and sagacity, his keen perception and antici- 
pation of my needs, he so directed the reserves as to insure the 
success of the day. 

As Gen. Johnston departed for Portico, Col. Bartow reported to 
me with the remains of the Yth Georgia Volunteers (Garti'ell's), 
which I ordered him to post on the left of Jackson's line, in the 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 15 

edge of the belt of pines bordering the southwestern rim of the 
plateau on which the battle was now to rage so long and so fiercely. 
Col. William Smith's battalion of the Forty-ninth Virginia Vol- 
unteers, having also come up by my orders, I placed it on the left 
of Gartrell's as my extreme left at the time. Repairing then to the 
right, I placed Hampton's legion, which had suffered greatly, on 
that flank somewhat to the rear of Harper's regiment, and also the 
seven companies of the Eighth (Hunton's) Virginia regiment, which, 
detached from Cocke's brigade, by my orders and those of Gen. 
Johnston, had opportunely reached the ground. These, with Har- 
per's regiment, constituted a reserve, to protect our right flank from 
an advance of the enemy from the quarter of the Stone Bridge, and 
served as a support for the line of battle, which was formed on the 
right by Bee's and Evans' commands : in the centre by four regi- 
ments of Jackson's brigade, with Imboden's four six-pounders, "Wal- 
ton's five guns (two rifled), two guns (one piece rifled) of Stanard's, 
and two six-pounders of Rogers' batteries, the latter under Lieut. 
Heaton ; and on the left by Gartrell's reduced ranks and Col. Smith's 
battalion, subsequently reinforced by Falkner's 2d Mississippi regi- 
ment, and by another regiment of the army of the Shenandoah, just 
arrived upon the field — the Sixth (Fisher's) North Carolina. Con- 
fronting the enemy at this time my force numbered, at most, not 
more than six thousand five hundred infantry and artillerists, with 
but thirteen pieces of artillery, and two companies (Carter's and 
Hoge's) of Stuart's cavalry. 

The enemy's force, now bearing hotly and confidently down on 
our position, regiment after regiment of the best-equipped men 
that ever took the field — according to their own ofiicial history of 
the day — was formed of Cols. Hunter's and Heintzelman's divisions, 
Cols. Sherman's and Keyes' brigades, of Tyler's division, and of 
the formidable batteries of Ricketts, GriflSn, and Arnold, regulars, 
and 2d Rhode Island and two Dahlgren howitzers — a force of over 
20,000 infantry, seven companies of regular cavalry, and twenty- 
four pieces of improved artillery. At the same time, perilous, 
heavy reserves of infantry and artillery hung in the distance around 
the Stone Bridge, Mitchell's, Blackburn's, and Union Mills fords, 
visibly ready to fall upon us at any moment ; and I was also as- 
sured of the existence of other heavy corps at and around Centre- 
ville and elsewhere, within convenient supporting distances. 

Fully conscious of this portentous disparity of force, as I posted 
the lines for the encounter, I sought to infuse into the hearts of my 
ofiicers and men the confidence and determined spirit of resistance 



16 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

to this wicked invasion of the homes of a free people, which I felt. 
I informed them that reinforcements M'ould rapidly come to their 
support, and we must at all hazards hold our posts until reinforced. 
I reminded them that we fought for our homes, our firesides, and 
for the independence of our country. I urged them to the resolu- 
tion of victory or death on that field. These sentiments were 
loudly, eagerly cheered wheresoever proclaimed, and I then felt as- 
sured of the unconquerable spirit of that ai'my which would enable 
us to wrench victory from the host then threatening us with de- 
struction. 

O my country ! I would readily have sacrificed my life, and 
those of all the brave men around me, to save your honor and to 
maintain your independence from the degrading yoke which these 
ruthless invaders had come to impose and render perpetual ; and 
the day's issues have assured me that such emotions must also have 
animated all under my command. 

In the mean time the enemy had seized upon the plateau on which 
the Robinson and Henry houses are situated — the position first 
occupied in the morning by Gen. Bee, before advancing to the 
^support of Evans. Ricketts' battery of six rifled guns — the pride 
of the Federalists, the object of their unstinted expenditure in out- 
fit — and the equally powerful regular light battery of Grifiin, were 
brought forward and placed in immediate action, after having, con- 
jointly with the batteries already mentioned, played from former 
positions with destructive effect upon our forward battalions. 

The topographical features of the plateau, now become the stage 
of the contending armies, must be described in detail. 

A glance at the map will show that it is inclosed on three sides 
by small watercourses, which empty into Bull Run within a few 
yards of each other, half a mile to the south of the Stone Bridge. 
Rising to an elevation of quite one hundred feet above the level of 
Bull Run at the bridge, it falls off on these sides to the level of the 
inclosing streams in gentle slopes, but which are furrowed by 
ravines of irregular direction and length, and shaded with clumps 
and patches of young pines and oaks. The general direction of the 
crest of the plateau is oblique to the course of Bull Run in that 
quarter, and on the Brentsville and turnpike roads, which intersect 
each other at right angles. Completely surrounding the two houses 
beibre mentioned are small open fields, of irregular outhne, and ex- 
ceeding 150 acres in extent. The houses occupied at the time — 
the one by widow Henry and the other by the free negro Robin- 
sou — are small wooden buildings, densely embowered in trees, and 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 17 

environed by a double row of fences on two sides. Aronnd the 
eastern and southern brow of the plateau an almost unbroken fringe 
of second-growth pines gave excellent shelter for our marksmen, 
who availed themseves of it with the most satisfactory skill. To 
the west, adjoining the fields, a broad belt of oaks extends directly 
across the crests on both sides of the Sudley road, in which, during 
the battle, regiments of both armies met and contended for the 
mastery. 

From the open ground of this plateau the view embraces a wide 
expanse of woods and gently undulating, open country of broad 
grass and grain fields in all directions, including the scene of Evans' 
and Bee's recent encoimter with the enemy — some twelve hundred 
yards to the northward. 

In reply to the enemy's batteries our own artillery had not been 
idle or unskilful. The ground occupied by our guns, on a level 
with that held by the batteries of the enemy, was an open space of 
limited extent, behind a low undulation, just at the eastern verge 
of the plateau, some 500 or 600 yards from the Henry House. Here, 
as before said, some thirteen pieces, mostly 6-pounders, were main- 
tained in action. The several batteries of Imboden, Stanard, Pen- 
dleton (Rockbridge artillery), and Alburnis', of the army of the 
Shenandoah, and five guns of Walton's, and Heaton's section of 
Rogers' battery, of the army of the Potomac, alternating to some 
extent with each other, and taking part as needed ; all, from the 
outset, displaying that marvellous capacity of our people as artille- 
rists which has made them, it would appear, at once the terror and 
ad.nairation of the enemy. 

As was soon apparent, the Federalists had sufiered severely from 
our artillery, and' from the fire of our musketry on the right, and 
especially from the left flank, placed under cover, within whose 
galling range they had been advanced. And we are told in their 
official reports how regiment after regiment, thrown forward to 
dislodge us, was broken, never to recover its entire organization OU' 
that field. 

In the mean time, two companies of Stuart's cavalry (Carter's 
and Hoge's) made a dashing charge down the Brentsville and Sudley 
road upon the Fire Zouaves — then the enemy's right on the pla- 
teau — which added to their disorder, wrought by our musketry on 
that flank. But still the press of the enemy was heavy in that 
quarter of the field, as fresh troops were thrown forward thei'e to 
outflank us, and some three guns of a battery, in an attemj^t to ob- 
tain a position ai>parently to enfilade our batteries, were thrown so- 

2 



IS OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

close to the 33d regiment, Jackson's brigade, that that regiment, 
springing forward, seized them, but with severe loss, and was sub- 
sequently driven back by an overpowering force of Federal mus- 
ketry. 

Now, full 2 o'clock, p. M., I gave the order for the right of my 
line, except my reserves, to advance to recover the plateau. It was 
done with uncommon resolution and vigor, and at the same time 
Jackson's brigade pierced the enemy's centre with the determina- 
tion of veterans, and the spirit of men who fight for a sacred cause ; 
but it suffered seriously. With equal spirit the other parts of the 
line made the onset and the Federal lines were broken and swept 
back at all points, from the open ground of the plateau. Rallying 
soon, however, as tliey were strongly reinforced by fresh regiments, 
the Federalists returned, and by weight of numbers pressed our 
lines back, recovered their ground and guns, and renewed the 
offensive. 

By this time, between half-past 2 and 3 o'clock, p. m., our rein- 
forcements pushed forward, and, directed by Gen. Johnston to the 
required quarter, were at liand just as I had ordered forward, to a 
second effort, for the recovery of the disputed plateau, the whole 
line, including my reserves, which, at this crisis of the battle, I felt 
called upon to lead in person. This attack was general, and was 
shared in by every regiment then in the field, including the 6th 
(Fisher's) North Carolina regiment, which had just come up and 
taken position on the immediate left of the 49th Virginia regiment. 
The whole open ground was again swept clear of the enemy, and 
the plateau around the Henry and Robinson houses remained finally 
in our possession, with the greater part of the Ricketts and Griffin 
batteries, and a flag of the 1st Michigan regiment, captured by the 
27th Virginia regiment (Lieut.-col. Echolls), of Jackson's brigade. 

This part of the day was rich with deeds of individual coolness 
and dauntless conduct, as well as well-directed embodied resolution 
and bravery, but fraught with the loss to the service of the country 
of lives of inestimable preciousness at this juncture. The brave Bee 
was mortally wounded at the head of the 4th Alabama and some 
Mississippians, in an open field near the Henry House, and a few 
•yards distant the promising life of Bartow, while leading the 7th 
Georgia regiment, was quenched in blood. Col. F. J. Thomas, 
Acting Chief of Ordnance, of Gen. Johnston's staff, after gallant 
conduct and most efficient service was also slain. Col. Fisher, 6th 
North Carolina, likewise fell, after soldierly behavior, at the head of 
his regiment, with ranks greatly thinned. 



OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 19 

Withers' 18th regiment, of Cocke's brigade, had come up in time 
to follow this charge, aiid, in conjunction with Hampton's legion, 
captured several rifle pieces which may have fallen previousl}^ in 
possession of some of our troops ; but if so, had been recovered by 
the enemy. These pieces were immediately turned and effectively 
served on distant masses of the enemy by the hands of some of oiu' 
officers. 

While the enemy had thus been driven back on our right entirely 
across the turnpike, and beyond Young's Branch on our left, the 
woods yet swarmed with them, when our reinforcements oppor- 
tunely arrived in quick succession, and took position in that portion 
of the field. Kershaw's 2d and Cash's 8th South Carolina regiments, 
which had arrived soon after Withers', were led through the oaks 
just east of the Sudley-Brentsville road, brushing some of the 
enemy before them and taking an advantageous position along the 
west of that road, oi>ened with much skill and eflfect on bodies of 
the enemy that had been rallied under cover of a strong Federal 
brigade posted on a plateau in the southwest angle, formed by 
intersection of the turnpike with the Sudley-Brentsville road. Among 
the troops thus engaged were the Federal regular infantry. 

At the same time, Kemper's battery, passing northward by the 
Stone Bridge road, took position on the open space — under orders 
of Col. Kershaw — near where an enemy's battery had been captured, 
w^as opened with effective results upon the Federal right, then the 
mark of Kershaw and Casli's regiments. 

Col. Preston's 28th regiment, of Cocke's brigade, had by that 
time entered the same body of oaks, and encountered some Michigan 
ti'oops, capturing their brigade commander, Col. Wilcox. 

Another important accession to our forces had also occurred 
about the same time, at 3 o'clock, p, m. Brig. -gen. E. K. Smith, with 
some 1700 infantry of Elzey's brigade, of the army of the Shenan- 
doah, and Beckham's battery, came upon the field, from Camp 
Pickens, Manassas, where they had arrived by railroad, at noon. 
Directed in person by Gen, Johnston to the left, then so much en- 
dangered, on reaching a position in rear of the oak woods, south 
of the Henry House, and immediately east of the Sudley road, Gen. 
Smith was disabled by a severe wound, and his valuable services 
were lost at that critical juncture. 

But the command devolved upon a meritorious officer of ex- 
perience, Col. Elksy, who led his infantry at once somewhat further 
to the left, in the direction of the Cliinn House, across the road, 
through the oaks skirting the west side of the road, and around 



20 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLF3. 

which he sent the battery under Lieut. Beckham. This officer took 
Tip a most favorable position near the house, whence, with a clear 
view of the Federal right and centre, filling the open fields to the 
Avest of the Brentsville-Sudley road, and gently sloping southward, 
he opened fire with his battery upon them with a deadly and dam- 
aging effect. 

Col. Early, who, by some mischance, did not receive orders until 
2 o'clock, which had been sent him at noon, came on the ground 
immediately alter Elzey, with Kemper's Vth Vii-ginia, Hay's Vth 
Louisiana, and Barksdale's 1 3th Mississippi regiments. The bi-igade, 
by the personal direction of Gen. Johnston, Avas marched by the 
Hollaham House, across the fields to the left, entirely around the 
woods which Elzey had passed, and under a severe fire, into a posi- 
tion in line of battle near Chinn's House, outflanking the enemy's 
right. 

At this time, about half-past 3 p. m., the enemy, driven back on 
their left and centre, and brushed from the woods bordering the 
Sudley road, south and west of the Henry House, had formed a line 
of battle of truly formidable pi-oportions, of crescent outline, re- 
gaining on their left from the vicinity of Pittsylvania (the old Carter 
mansion), by Matthew's and in rear of Dugan's across the turnpike 
near to Chinn's House. The woods and fields were filled with their 
masses of infantry and their carefully preserved cavalry. It was a 
truly magnificent, though redoubtable spectacle, as they threw for- 
ward in fine style, on the broad, gentle slopes of the ridge occupied 
by their main lines, a cloud of skirmishers, preparatory for another 
attack. 

But as Early formed his line, and Beckham's pieces playing upon 
the right of the enemy, Elzey 's brigade. Gibbon's 10th Virginia, 
Lieut-col. Stuart's 1st Maryland and Vaughn's 3d Tennessee regi- 
ments, and CashTs 8th and Kershaw's 2d South Carolina, Withers' 
18th and Preston's 28th Vii-ginia, advanced in an irregular line 
almost simultaneously, with great spirit, from their several positions 
upon the front and left of the enemy in their quarter of the field. 
At the same time, too. Early resolutely assailed their right flank 
and rear. Under this continued attack, the enemy was soon forced, 
first, over the narrow plateau in the southern angle made by the 
two roads so often mentioned, into a patch of woods on its western 
slope, then back over Yoimg's branch and the turnpike into the 
fields of the Dngan farm, and rearward, in extreme disorder, in all 
available directions towards Bull Run. The rout had now become 
general and complete. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 21 

About the .time that Elzey and Early were entering into action, 
a column of the enemy, Keyes' brigade of Tyler's division, made its 
way across the turnpike between Bull Run and the Robinson House, 
under cover of a wood and brows of the ridges, apparently to turn 
my right, but was easily repulsed by a few shots from Latham's 
battery, now under and placed in position by Capt. D. B. Harris, 
of the Virginia engineeis, whose 8er\ices during the day became 
his character as an able, cool, and skilful officer, and from Albumis' 
battery, opportunely ordered by Gen. Jackson to a position to the 
rear of Latham, on a hill commanding the line of approach of the 
enemy, and supported by portions of regiments collected together 
by the staff officers of Gen. Johnston and myself. 

Early's brigade, meanwhile, joined by the l^th Virginia regiment, 
Lieut.-col. Strange, of Cocke's brigade, pursued the now panic- 
stricken, fugitive enemy. Stuart, with his cavalry, and Beckham 
had also taken up the pursuit along the road by which the enemy 
had come upon' the field that morning ; but, soon encumbered by 
prisoners, who thronged his way, the former was unable to attack 
the mass of thefast fleeing, frantic Federalists. Withers', R. J. Pres- 
ton's, Cash's, and Kershaw's regiments, Hampton's legion and 
Kemper's battery, also pursued along the Warrenton road by the 
Stone Bridge, the enemy having opi^ortunely opened a way for them 
through the heavy abatis which my troops had made on the west 
side of the bridge several days before ; but this pursuit was soon 
recalled, in consequence of a false report which unfortunately 
reached us, that the enemy's reserves, known to be fresh and of 
considerable strength, were threatening the position of Union Mills 
Ford. 

Col. Radford, with six companies Virginia cavalry, was ordered 
by Gen. Johnston to cross Bull Run and attack the enemy from 
the direction of Lewis' House. Conducted by one of my aids. Col. 
Chisholm, by the Lewis road, to the immediate vicinity of the Sus- 
pension Bridge, he charged a battery with great gallantry, took 
Col. Corcoran, of the 69th New York Volunteers, prisoner, and 
captured the Federal colors of that regiment, as well as a number 
of the enemy. He lost, however, a prominent officer of his regi- 
ment, Capt. Weston Radford. 

Lieut.-col Munford also led some companies of cavalry in hot pur- 
suit, and rendered material service in the capture of prisoners and 
of cannon, horse, ammunition, &c., abandoned by the enemy in their 
flight. 

Oa.pL Lay's company of the Powhatan troops and Unba-ck's 



22 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Rans^rs, Virginia Volunteers, attached to my person, did material 
service under Capt. Lay, in rallying troops broken for the time by 
the onset of the enemy's masses. 

During the period of the momentous events, fraught with the 
weal of the country, which were passing on the blood-stained 
plateau along the Sudley and Warrenton roads, other portions of 
the line of Bull Run had not been void of action, of moment, and 
of influence upon the general result. 

While Col. Evans and his sturdy band were holding at bay the 
Federal advance beyond the turnpike, the enemy made repeated 
demonstrations, with artillery and infantiy, upon the line of Cocke's 
brigade, with the serious intention of forcing the position, as Gen. 
Schenek admits in his report. They were driven back with severe 
loss by Latham's (a section), and Rodgers' four 6-pounders, and 
were so impressed with the strength of that line as to be held in 
check and inactive, even after it had been stripped of all its troops 
but one company of the Nineteenth Virginia regiment, under Capt. 
Puke, a meritorious officer. And it is worthy of notice that, in 
this encounter of our 6-i)ounder guns, handled by our volunteer 
artillerists, they had Avorsted such a notorious adversary as the 
Ayers' — formerly Sherman's — battery, which quit the contest under 
the illusion that it had weightier metal than its own to contend 
with. 

The centre brigades — Bonham's and Longstreet's — of the line of 
Bull Run, if not closely engaged, were nevertheless exposed for 
much of the day to an annoying, almost incessant fire of artillery 
at long range ; but by a steady, veteran-like maintenance of their 
l^ositions, they held virtually paralyzed, all day, two strong brigades 
of the enemy, with their batteries (four) of rifle guns. 

As before said, two regiments of Bonham's brigade. Second and 
Eighth South Carolina Volunteers, and Kemper's battery, took a 
distinguished part in the battle. The remainder, Third (Williams'), 
Seventh (Bacon^'s) South Carolina Volunteers, Eleventh (Kirkland's) 
North Carolina regiment, six companies Eighth Louisiana Volun- 
teers, Shield^s battery, and one section of Walton's battery, under 
Lieut. Garnett, whether in holding their post or taking up the 
pursuit, ofiicers and men discharged their duty with credit and 
promise. 

Longstreet's brigade, pui'sviant to orders, prescribing his part of 
the operations of the centre and right wings, was thrown across 
Bull Run early in the morning, and, mider a severe fire of ailillery 
was skilfully disposed for the assault o^n the enemy's batteries in 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. ' Ho 

that quarter, l)ut was withdrawn subsequently, in consequence of 
the change of plan already mentioned and explained. The troops 
of this brigade were — First, Major Skinner ; Eleventh, Garland's ; 
Twenty-fourth, Lieut.-col. Hairston's; Seventeenth, Corse's, Vir- 
ginia regiments ; Fifth North Carolina, Lieut.-col Jones ; and 
Whitehead's company of Virginia cavalry. Throughout the day 
these troops evinced the most soldierly spirit. 

After the rout, having been ordered by Gen. Johnston in the 
direction of Centreville in pursuit, these brigades advanced to near 
to that place, when night and darkness intervening, Gen. Bonhani 
thought it proper to direct his own brigade and that of Gen. Long- 
street back to Bull Run. 

Gen. D. B. Jones early in the day crossed Bull Run with his 
brigade, pursuant to orders indicating bis part in the projected 
attack by our right wing and centre on the enemy at Centreville, 
took up a position on the Union Mills and Centreville road, more 
than a mile in advance of the mm. Ordered back in consequence 
of the miscarriage of the orders to Gen. Ewell, the retrograde 
movement was necessarily made under a sharp fire of artillery. 

At noon this brigade, in obedience to new instructions, was again 
thrown across Bull Run to make demonstrations. Unsupported by 
other troops, the advance was gallantly made until within musket 
range of the enemy's force — Col. Davis' brigade in position near 
Rocky Run, and under the concentrated fire of their artillery. In 
this afiliir the Fifth, Jenkins' South Carolina, and Capt. Fontaine's 
company, of the Eighteenth Mississippi regiment, are mentioned 
by Gen. Jones as having shown conspicuous gallantry, coolness, and 
discipline under a combined fire of infantry and artillery. 

Not only did the return fire of the brigade drive to cover the 
enemy's infantry, but the movement unquestionably spread through 
the enemy's ranks a sense of insecurity and danger from an attack 
by that route on their rear at Centreville, which served to augment 
the extraordinary panic which we know disbanded the entire Fed- 
eral arms for the time. This is evident from the fact that Col. 
Davies, the immediate adversary's commander, in his ofticial report, 
was induced to magnify one small comjDany of our cavalry which 
accompanied the brigade, into a force of two thousand men ; and 
Col. Miles, the commander of the Federal reserves at Centrevillo, 
says the movement " caused painful apprehensions for the left wing " 
of the army. 

Gen. Ewell, occupying for the time the right of the lines of Bull 
Run at Union Mills Ford, after the miscarriage of my orders for his 



24r OFFICIAL REPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

advance upon Centreville, in the afternoon was ordered by Gen. 
Jolinston to bring up his brigade into battle, then raging on the left 
flank. Promptly executed as this mo^'ement Avas, the brigade, after 
a severe march, reached the field too late to share the glories, as 
they had the labors, of the day. As the important position at the 
Union Mills had been left but with a slender guard, Gen. Ewell was 
at once ordered to retrace his steps and resume his position, to pre- 
vent the possibility of its seizure by any force of the enemy in that 
quarter. 

Brig.-gen. Holmes, left with his brigade as a support to the same 
position in the original plan of battle, had also been called to the 
left, whither he marched with the utmost speed, but not in time to 
join actively in the battle. 

Walker's rifle guns of the brigade, however, came up in time to 
be fired with precision and decided execution at the retreating 
enemy, and Scott's cavahy, joining in the pursuit, assisted in the 
capture of prisoners and war munitions. 

This victory, the details of which I have thus sought to chronicle 
as fully as were fitting an official report, it remains to record, was 
dearly won by the death of many officers and men of inestimable 
value, belonging to all grades of our society. 

In the death of Gen. Bernard E. Bee the Confederacy has sus- 
tained an irreparable loss, for with great personal bravery and 
coolness he possessed the qualities of an accomplished soldier and 
an able, reliable commander. 

Cols. Bartow and Fisher, and Lieut.-col. Johnson, of Hampton's 
legion, in the fearless command of their men, gave earnest of great 
usefulness to the service had they been spared to complete a career 
so brilliantly begun. Besides the field-officers already mentioned as 
having been wounded while in the gallant discharge of their duties, 
many others also received severe wounds after equally honorable 
and distinguished conduct, whether in leading their men forward, or 
in rallying them when overpowered or temporarily shattered by the 
largely superior force to which we were generally opposed. 

The subordinate grades were likewise abundantly conspicuous for 
zeal and capacity for the leadership of men in arms. To mention 
all who, fighting well, paid the lavish forfeiture of their lives, or at 
least crippled, mutilated bodies on the field of Manassas, cannot well 
be done within the compass of this paper ; but a grateful country 
and mourning friends will not suflTcr their names and services to be 
forgotten and pass away unhonored. 

Nor are those officers and men who were so fortunate as to escape 



OFFICIAL EKPOETS OF BATTLES. 25 

the thick-flying deadly missiles of the enemy, less worthy of praise 
for their endurance, firmness, and valor, than their brothers in arms, 
whose lives were closed or bodies maimed on that memorable day. 
To mention all who exhibited ability and brilliant courage were im- 
possible in this report ; nor do the reports of brigade and other 
subordinate commanders supply full lists of all actually deserving of 
distinction. I can only mention those whose conduct came imme- 
diately under ray notice, or the consequence of whose actions hap- 
pened to be signally important. 

It is fit that I should in this way commend to notice the daunt- 
less conduct and imperturbable coolness of Col. Evans ; and well 
indeed was he supported by Col. Sloan and the ofiicers of the Fourth 
South Carolina regiment, as also Major Wheat, than whom no one 
displayed more brilliant courage until carried from the field, shot 
through the lungs, though happily not mortally stricken. But in 
the desperate, unequal contest, to which those brave gentlemen 
were for a time necessarily exposed, the behavior of officers and 
men generally was worthy of the highest admiration, and assuredly 
hereafter all those present may proudly say, " We were of that 
band who fought the first hour of the battle of Manassas." Equal 
honor and credit must also be awarded in the pages of history to 
the gallant officers and men who, under Bee and Bartow, subse- 
quently marching to their side, saved them from destruction, and 
relieved them from the brunt of the enemy's attack. 

The conduct of Gen. Jackson also requires mention, as eminently 
that of an able and fearless soldier and sagacious commander, one 
fit to lead his brigade ; his efficient, prompt, timely arrival before 
the plateau of the Henry House, and his judicious disposition of his 
troops contributed much to the success of the day. Although pain- 
fully wounded in the hand, he remained on the field to the end of 
the battle, rendering invaluable assistance. Col. William Smith was 
as efficient as self-possessed and brave ; the influence of hia example 
and his words of encouragement was not confined to his immediate 
command, the good conduct of Avhich is especially noticeable, inas- 
much as it had been embodied but a day or two before tlie battle. 

Cols. Harper, Hunter, and Hampton, commanding regiments of the 
reserve, attracted my notice by their soldierly ability, as with their 
gallant commands they restored the fortunes of tlie day, at a time 
when tlie enemy, by a last desperate onset, with heavy odds, had 
driven our forces from the fiercely contested ground around the 
Henry and Johnson houses. Veterans could not have behaved bet- 
ter than these well-led regiments. 



26 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

High praise must also be given to Cols. Cocke, Early, and Rizey, 
brigade commanders ; also to Col. Kershaw, commanding for the 
time the Second and Eighth South Carolina regiments. Under the 
instructions of Gen. Johnston, these officers reached the field at an 
opportune critical moment, and disposed, handled, and fought their 
respective commands with sagacity, decision, and successful results, 
which have been described in detail. 

Col. J. E. H. Stuart likewise deserves mention for his enterprise 
and ability as a cavalry commander. Through his judicious recon- 
noissance of the country on our left flank he acquired information, 
both of topographical features and the positions of the enemy, of 
the utmost importance in the subsequent and closing movements of 
the day on that flank, and his services in the pursuit were highly 
effective. 

Capt. E. P. Alexander, C. S. Engineers, gave me seasonable and 
material assistance early in the day with his system of signals. Al- 
most the first shot fired by the enemy passed through the tent of 
his party at the Stone Bridge, where they subsequently maintained 
their position in the discharge of their duty — the transmission of 
messages of the enemy's movements — for several hours under fire. 
Later, Capt. Alexander acted as my aid-de-camp in the transmission 
of orders and in observation of the enemy. 

I was most efficiently served throughout the day by my volunteer 
aids, Cols. Preston, Manning, Chesnut, Miles, Rice, Heyward, and 
Chisholm, to whom I tender my thanks for their unflagging, intelli- 
gent, and fearless discharge of the laborious, responsible duties in- 
trusted to them. To Lieut. S. W. Ferguson, A. D. C, and Col. 
Heyward, who were habitually at my side from twelve noon until 
the close of the battle, my special acknowledgments are due. The 
horse of the former was killed under him by the same shell that 
wounded the latter. Both were eminently useful to me, and were 
distinguished for coolness and courage, until the enemy gave way 
and fled in wild disorder in every direction, a scene the President of 
the Confederacy had the satisfoction of witnessing, as he arrived upon 
the field at that exultant moment. 

I also received, from'the time I reached the front, such signal ser- 
vice from H. E. Peyton, at. the time a private in the Loudon cavalry, 
that I have called him to my personal staff; Similar services were 
also rendered me repeatedly during the battle by T. J. Randolph, a 
volunteer acting aid-de-camp to Col. Cocke. 

Capt, Clinton H. Smith, of the general staff", was also present on 
the field, and rendered efficient service in the transmission of orders. 



OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 27 

It must be permitted meliere to record ray profound sense of ray- 
obligations to Gen. Johnston, for his generous permission to carry 
out my plans, with such modifications as circumstances had required. 
From his services on the field — as we entered it together — already 
mentioned, and his subsequent watchful management of the rein- 
forcements as they reached the vicinity of the field, our countrymen 
may draw the most auspicious auguries. 

To Col. Thomas Jordan, ray efficient and zealous Assistant Ad- 
jutant-general, much credit is due for his able assistance in the or- 
ganization of the forces iinder my command, and for the intelligence 
and promptness with which he has discharged all the laborious and 
important duties of his office. 

Valuable assistance was given to me by Major Cabell, chief officer 
of the quarter-master's depa)'tment, in the sphere of his duties — du- 
ties environed by far more than the ordinary difficulties and embar- 
rassments attending the operations of a long oi'ganized regular es- 
tablishment. 

Col. B. B. Lee, Chief of Subsistence Department, had but just en- 
tered upon his duties, but his experience, and long and varied ser- 
vices in his department, made him as efficient as possible. 

Capt. W. H. Fowle, whom Col. Lee had relieved, had previously 
exerted himself to the utmost to carry out orders from these head- 
quarters, to render his department equal to the demands of the ser- 
vice ; that it was not entirely so, it is due to justice to say, was cer- 
tainly not his fault. 

Deprived by the sudden severe illness of the medical director, 
Surgeon Thomas H. WiUiams, his duties were discharged by Sur- 
geon R. L. Brodie, to my entire satisfaction, and it is j^roper to say 
that the entire medical corps of the army, at present embracing 
gentlemen of distinction in the profession, who had quit lucrative 
private practice, by their services in the field and subsequently, did 
honor to their profession. 

The vital duties of the ordnance department were effectively dis- 
charged under the administration of my Chief of Artillery and 
Ordnance, Col. S. Jones. 

At one time, when reports of evil omen and disaster reached 
Camp Pickens, with such circumstantiality as to give reasonable 
grounds of anxiety, its commander, Col. Torrett, the commander of 
the intrenched batteries, Capt. Sterritt, of the Confederate States 
Xavy, and their officers, made the most efficient possible prepara- 
tions for the desperate defence of that position in extremity ; and 
in this connection I regret my inability to mention the names of 



28 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

tliose patriotic gentlemen of Virginic% by the gratuitous labor of 
whose slaves the intrenched camp at Manassas had been mainly 
constructed, relieving the troops from that laborious service, and 
giving opportunity for their military instruction. 

Lieut.-col. Thomas H. Williamson, the engineer of these works, 
assisted by Capt. D. B. Harris, discharged his duties with untiring 
energy and devotion, as well as satisfactory skill. 

Capt. W. H. Stevens, Engineer Confederate Army, served with 
the advanced forces at Fairfax Court-house for some time before the 
battle ; he laid out the works there in admirable accordance with 
the purposes for which they were designed, and yet so as to admit 
of ultimate extension and adaptation to more serious uses as means 
and part of a system of real defence when determined upon. He 
has shown himself to be an officer of energy and ability. 

Major Thomas G. Rhett, after having discharged for several 
months the laborious duties of Adjutant-general to the commanding 
officer of Camp Pickens, was detached to join the army of the 
Shenandoah, just on the eve of the advance of the enemy ; but, vol- 
unteering his services, was ordered to assist on the staff of Gen. Bon- 
ham, joining that officer at Centreville on the night of the iVth, be- 
fore the battle of Bull Run, where he rendered valuable services, un- 
til the arrival of Gen. Johnston, on the 20th of July, when he was 
called to the place of Chief of Staff of that officer. 

It is also proper to acknowledge the signal services rendered by 
Col. B. F. Terry and T. Lubbock, of Texas, who had attached them- 
selves to the staff of Gen. Longstreet. These gentlemen made 
daring and valuable reconnoissances of the enemy's positions, assisted 
by Capts. Goree and Chichester. They also carried orders to the 
field, and on the following day, accompanying Capt. Wiiitehead's 
troops to take possession of Fairfax Court-house, Col. Terry, with 
Ills unerring rifle, severed the halliards, and thus lowered the Federal 
flag found still floating from the cupola of the court-house there. 
He also secured a large Federal garrison flag, designed, it is said, to 
be unfurled over our intrenchments at Manassas. 

In connection with the unfortunate casualties of the day — that is, 
the miscarriage of the orders sent by courier to Gens. Holmes and 
Ewell to attack the enemy in flank and reverse at Centreville, through 
which the triumph of our arms was prevented from being still more 
decisive — I regard it in place to say, a divisional organization, with 
officers in command of divisions, Avith appropriate ranks, as in 
European services, would greatly reduce the risk of such mishaps, 



OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF BATTLES. 29 

and would advantageously simplify the communications of a general 
iu command of a field with his troops. 

"While glorious for our people, and of crushing effect upon the 
morale of our hitherto confident and overweening adversary, as 
were the events of the battle of Manassas, *the field was only won 
by stout fighting, and, as before stated, w^ith much loss, as is pre- 
cisely exhibited in the papers lierewith, marked F, G, and H, 
and being lists of the killed and wounded. The killed outright 
numbered 209, the wounded 1483 — making an aggregate of 1852. 
The actual loss of the enemy will never be known ; it may now 
only be conjectured. Their abandoned dead, as. they were buried 
by our people where they fell, unfortunately were not enumerated ; 
but many parts of the field were thick with their corpses, as but few 
battle-fields have ever been. The official reports of the enemy are 
studiously silent on this point, but still afford us data for an approx- 
imate estimate. Left almost in the dark in I'espect to the losses of 
Hunter's and Heintzelraan's divisions — first, longest, and most hotly 
engaged — we are informed that Sherman's brigade — Tyler's division 
— suffered in killed, wounded, and missing, 609 — that is, about 
eighteen per cent, of the brigade. A regiment of Franklin's bri- 
gade — Gorman's — lost twenty- one per cent. Griffin's (battery) loss 
w^as thirty per cent., and that of Keyes' brigade, which was so han- 
dled by its commander as to be exposed only to occasional A^olleys 
from our troops, was at least ten per cent. 

To these facts, and the repeated references in the reports of the 
more reticent commanders to the "murderous" fire to which they 
were habitually exposed — the "pistol range" volleys and gallino- 
musketry, of which they speak as scourging their ranks, and we 
are warranted in placing the entire loss of the Federalists at over 
forty-five hundred in killed, wounded, and prisoners. To this may 
be legitimately added, as a casualty of the battle, the thousands of 
fugitives from the field, who have never rejoined their regiments, 
and who are as much lost to the enemy's service as if slain or disa- 
bled by wounds. These may not be included under the head oi 
" missing," because, in every instance of such report, we took as 
many prisoners of those brigades or regiments as are reported 
" missing." 

A list a])pended exhibits some 1,400 of their wounded and others 
who fell into our hands and were sent to Richmond. Some were 
sent to other points, so that the number of prisoners, includino- 
wounded who did not die, may be set down at not less than 1,600 



30 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Besides these, a considerable number who could not be removed 
from the field died at several farm-houses and field hospitals, within 
ten days following the battle. 

To serve the future historian of this war, I will note the fact that 
among the captured Federalists are officers and men of forty-seven 
regiments of volunteers, besides from some nine different regiments 
of regular troops, detachments of which were engaged. From 
their official reports we learn of a regiment of volunteers engaged, 
six regiments of Miles' division, and the five regiments ofRunyon's 
bi'igade, from which we have neither sound or wounded prisoners. 

Making all allowances for mistakes, we are warranted in saying 
that the Federal army consisted of at least fifty-five regiments of 
volunteers, eight companies of regular infantry, four of marines, 
nine of regular cavalry, and twelve batteries, one hundred and 
nineteen guns. These regiments at one time, as will appear from a 
published list appended, marked " K," numbered in the aggregate 
54,140, and average 964 each ; from an order of the enemy's com- 
mandei-, however, dated July 13th, we learn that 100 men from 
each regiment were ordered to remain in charge of respective camps 
— some allowance must further be made for the sick and details, 
which would reduce the average to eight hundred — adding the reg- 
ular cavalry, infantry, and artillery present, an estimate of their 
force may be made. 

A paper appended, marked " L," exhibits, in part, the ordnance 
and supplies captured, including some twenty-eight field-pieces of 
the best character of arm, with over one hundred rounds of ammu- 
nition for each gun, thirty-seven caissons, six forges, four battery 
wagons, sixty-four artillery horses, completely equipped, five hun- 
dred thousand rounds of small-arms ammunition, four thousand 
five hundred sets of accoutrements, over five hundred muskets, 
some nine regimental and gari'ison flags, with a large number of 
pistols, knapsacks, swords, canteens, blankets, a large store of axes 
and intrenching tools, wagons, ambulances, horses, camp and gar- 
rison equipage, hospital stores, and some subsistence. 

Added to these results may rightly be noticed here, that by this bat- 
tle an invading army superbly equipped, within twenty miles of their 
base of operations, has been converted into one virtually besieged, 
and exclusively occupied for months in the construction of a stupen- 
dous series of fortifications for the protection of its own capital. 

I beg to call attention to the reports of the several subordinate 
commanders, for reference to the signal parts played by individuals 
of their respective commands. Couti'adictory statements, found in 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 31 

those reports, should not excite surprise, when we remember ho'vv 
difficult, if not impossible, it is to reconcile the narrations of 
bystanders or participants in even the most inconsiderable aflair, 
much less the shifting, thrilling scenes of a battle-field. 

Accompanying are maps showing the positions of the armies on 
the morning of the 21st July, and of three several stages of the 
battle ; also, of the line of Bull Run north of Blackburn's Ford. 
These maps, from actual surveys made by Capt. D. B. Harrison, 
assisted by Mr. John Grant, were drawn by the latter with a rare 
delicacy worthy of high commendation. 

In conclusion, it is proper, and, doubtless, expected, that through 
this report my countrymen should be made acquainted with some 
of the sufficient causes that prevented the advance of our forces 
and a prolonged, vigorous pursuit of the enemy to and beyond the 
Potomac. The War Department has been fully advised long since 
of all those causes, some of which only are proper to be here com- 
municated. An army which had fought like ours on that day 
against uncommon odds, under a July sun, most of the time with- 
out water and without food, except a hastily-snatched meal at dawn, 
was not in condition for the toil of an eager, effective pursuit of an 
enemy immediately after the battle. 

On the following day an unusually heavy and unintermitting fall 
of rain intervened to obstruct our advance with reasonable pros- 
pect of fruitful results. Added to this, the want of a cavalry 
force of sufficient numbers, made an efficient pursuit a military 
impossibility. 

Your obedient servant, 

P. G. T. BEAUREGARD, 

General Connnandmg. 

To Gen. S. Coopee, Adjutant and Inspector-general, Rich- 
mond, Va. 

R. H. Chilton, 

Adjuta7it. 



.^9, 



OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF BATTLES. 



EVACUATION OF PENSACOLA NAVY-YARD. 

FORTS, &c. 

Brigadiek-genekal S. M. Jones, Commanding. 



Mobile, January 24th, 1862. 

Sir : In accordance with yonr instructions, I have the honor re- 
spectfully to tender the following report of my evacuation of the 
forts, navy-yard, and position at and near Pensacola, Fla. 

On being placed in command of that place by Brig.-gen. Samuel 
Jones, on the 9th of March last, his instructions were to move, as 
fast as my transportation would allow, the machinery and other 
valuable property from the navy-yard 

This was kept up steadily until the night of the evacuation. On 
receiving information that the enemy's gunboats had succeeded in 
passing the forts below New Orleans, with their powerful batteries 
and splendid equipments, I came to the conclusion, that with my 
limited means of defence, reduced as I had been, by the withdrawal 
of nearly all my heavy guns and ammunition, that I could not hold 
them in check, or make even a respectable show of resistance. I, 
therefore, determined, upon my own judgment, to commence imme- 
diately the removal of the balance of my heavy guns and their am- 
munition, and dispatched to you for your approval, which was an- 
swered by one, advising me to continue doing so. On receipt of 
Gen. Lee's written instructions on the subject, I pushed on the 
work with renewed vigor, and night and day kept up the removal 
of guns and valuable property. 

On the afternoon of the 7th instant, I received a dispatch from 
your Adjutant-general, stating that there were a number of mortar 
and gun boats olf Fort Morgan, and that the fort had fired ten shots 
at them. Conceiving that the contingency, naraeJ in Gen. Lee's 
instructions, had arrived, viz. : to bring all my available force to this 
IDoint in the event of an attack, I concluded to promptly leave my 
position. I, therefore, sent to Montgomery a regiment of unarmed 
troops. On the next day I ordered the 8th Mississippi regiment, 
Lieut.-col. Yates, commanding, to proceed at once to this place and 
repoit to you, and on the 9th I prepared my plans for generally 
evacuatine:. 



OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF BATrLES. 33 

On the night of the 8th, three companies of cavah-y arrivecl from 
Montgomery. With tliese and two companies I ah'eady had, I de- 
termined to desti'oy the pnbHc property, etc., which I had not been 
able to remove, and which might prove of benefit to the enemy. 
As the few troops were so disposed that any reduction in the day- 
time would attract the notice of the enemy, I merely withdrew the 
camp and garrison equipage, and sick, in accordance with an order 
from Gen. Lee to " keep the army mobilized." On the morning 
of the 9th, all the work of removing sick and baggage having been 
completed, I published orders that my forces should present them- 
selves to the best advantage to the enemy, and as soon as it was 
dark they were quietly marched out from their camps and started 
on the road to Oakfield. Sentinels Avere posted as usual on the 
beach, and they were withdrawn one hour after the other troops 
had left. All these instructions were obeyed to the letter, and much 
to the credit of the comparatively raw troops under my command. 
When my infantry were well on the road and out of range of the 
enemy's guns, the cavalry were assigned their places to commence 
the necessary destruction, at a signal previously agreed upon, to be 
given from the cupola of the hospital, and one answering at the navy- 
yard, Barrancas, and Fort McRae. Precisely at 11 1-2 o'clock, 
when every thing was perfectly quiet, both on the enemy's side and 
ours, the most painful duty it ever fell to my lot to perform was 
accomplished, namely: the signalizing for the destruction of the 
beautiful place which I had labored so hard night and day for over 
two months to defend, and which I had fondly hoped could be held 
from the polluting grasp of our insatiate enemies. 

The two blue lights set off by Col. Tattnall and myself at the 
hospital were promptly answered by similar signals from the other 
points designated, and scarcely had the signals disappeared ere the 
public buildings, camp tents, and every other combustible thing 
from the navy-yard to Fort McKae, was enveloped in a sheet of 
flames, and in a few moments the flames of the public property 
could be distinctly seen at Pensacola. The custom-house and com- 
missary storehouses "^'ere not destroyed, for fear of endangering 
private property, a thing I scrupulously avoided. As soon as the 
enemy could possibly man their guns and load them, they opened 
upon us with the greatest fury, and seemed to increase his charges 
as his anger increased. But in spite of the bursting shell, which 
were thrown with great rapidity, and in every direction, the cavalry 
proceeded with the greatest coolness to make the work of destruc- 
tion thoi'ough and complete, and see that all orders were implicitly 

3 



84 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

obeyed. Their orders were to destroy all the camp tents ; Forts 
McRae and Barrancas, as far as possible ; the hospital, the houses 
in the navy-yard, the steamer Fulton, the coal left in the yard ; all 
the machinery for drawing out ships, the trays, shears, in fact every, 
thing which could be made useful to the enemy. The large piles 
of coal were filled with wood and other combustibles, and loaded 
shell put all through it, so that when once on fire the enemy would 
not dare to attempt to extinguish it. Loaded shell were also placed 
in the houses for the same purpose, and the few small smooth-bore 
guns, I was compelled to leave, were double-shotted, wedged, and 
spiked, and carriages chassie burned. The shears in the navy-yard 
were cut half in two, and the spars and masts of the Fulton were 
cut to pieces. By the most unremitting labor, I succeeded with 
my little force and limited transportation in saving all the heayy 
guns, and nearly all the small-size guns. I took away all the flank- 
ing howitzers from Barrancas and the redoubt. In removing the 
large columbiads from the batteries, which were in full view of the 
enemy's, I was compelled to resoi't to Gen. Johnston's plan of re- 
placing them with wooden imitations as they were removed. All 
the powder and most of the large shot and shell were removed ; 
the small-size shot were buried. I succeeded in getting away all 
the most valuable machinery, besides large quantities of copper, 
lead, brass, and iron. Even the gutters, lightning rods, window 
weights, bells, pipes, and every thing made of these valuable metals 
were removed, also cordage, blocks, cables, chain-cables, and a large 
number of very valuable articles of this character, which I cannot 
here enumerate. All the quarter-master and commissary stores, 
except such as were not worth the transportation, were sent away. 
As soon as this was completed, I set hands to Avork taking up the 
railroad iron at Pensacola, and others to reeling up the telegraph 
wires under the protection of a strong guard of cavalry, infantry, 
and one piece of light artillery. 

Having received orders not to destroy any private property, I 
only destroyed at Pensacola a large oil factory, containing a con- 
siderable quantity of rosin, the quarter-master's storehouses, and 
some small boats, and three small steamers, used as guard-boats and 
transports. The steamers Mary and Helen were the only private 
property of their kind burned. The steamboat " Turel," which we 
had been using as a transj^ort, was sent up the Escambia river, she 
being of very light draft, well loaded with stores, machinery, etc., 
with orders to cut down trees, and place every obstruction possible, 
in the river, behind her. She has arrived safely at a point I deem 



OFFICIAL REFOKTS OF BATTLES. 35 

beyond the enemy's reach, and she has been unloaded of her freight. 
The casemates and galleys of Fort McRae were filled with old 
lumber, and many loaded with shell and fired. The galleries and 
implement rooms, at Barrancas, were similarly dealt with, and the 
destruction at both places was as complete as it could be without 
the use of gunpowder ; this I did not deem it necessary or proper 
to use for this purpose. The enemy's furious cannonade only served 
to make the havoc more complete. There was no damage done by 
it to man or horse. When it is remembered that all this work has 
been done by a mere handful of raw troops, with but few arms, 
and many of them without any arms at all, and this, too, in the 
very face of a formidable force, I deem it but simple justice to my 
men to say, that the conduct of each and all of them was worthy 
of the highest praise. It not unfrequently happened that after 
standing guard all night, they cheerfully labored all the next day 
and night. I have not room to make distinctions where all did so 
well, but I feel constrained to make particular mention of Capt. J. 
H. Nelson, of the 27th Mississippi regiment, who commanded at 
Fort McRae, the most exposed and dangerous point ; Major Kil- 
patrick, who commanded at the navy-yard, and Lieut.-col. Conoly, 
who commanded at Pensacola. These gentlemen deserve the 
greatest credit for their zeal and watchfulness, in the management 
of their respective stations. I feel that I am also authorized in 
saying of the 2'7th, under Capt. Hays, that during the frequent and 
terrible alarms, so unavoidable with new troops, it was always cool 
and ready for serious work. The unwearied exertions, both night 
and day, of my personal staff officers have received my personal 
thanks, and I feel called upon to remark that they deserve great 
credit, as they were so zealous and unremitting in their exertions to 
assist me in carrying out my orders and of serving the country, 
that I frequently had to insist on their taking rest for fear that they 
would completely wear themselves down. On the completion of 
my work, I proceeded to rejoin my army at Oakfield, six miles 
north of Pensacola on the railroad, leaving five companies of cavalry 
in command of Capt. J. T. Myers, an efiicient and daring officer, to 
watch the enemy's movements. 

The next morning I proceeded, with the 27th Mississij^pi regi- 
ment, to Mobile, leaving Lieut.-col. Conoly with the 29th Alabama 
regiment ; and Lieut.-col. Tullen, with five companies of Florida 
volunteers, two of which companies were armed, to guard the rail- 
road, whilst the iron was being removed. I regret to acknowledge 
the receipt of a telegraphic dispatch from the Hon. Secretary of 



36 OFFICIAL EErORTS OF BATTLES 

"War, dated subsequent to my evacuation, directing me not to burn 
the houses in the navy-yard. I received one from him the day 
before the evacuation, directing me to spare all piivate dwellings 
not useful to the enemy for war purposes, which was done. The 
first-named dispatch reached me after my arrival in the city. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

THOS. M. JONES, 

Acting Brig.-gen. C. S. A. 

To Brig.-gen. John H. Foeney, 

Gommmiding Dep't Ala. and W. Fla. 



Heab-quaetees Dep't Ala. and W. Fla., 
May 23d, 1862. 

I have the honor to transmit, with my approval, the accompany- 
ing report of Brig.-gen. T. M. Jones of the evacuation of Pensacola. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

JNO. H. FORNEY, 

Brig.-gen. Commanding. 

To Gen. S. Coopee, AdjH and Insjo'Vr-general^ Richmond. 



BOMBARDMENT OF FORT HENRY, 

Brigadier-general Tilghman, commanding. 



Richmond, Va., Aug. 9th, 1862. 
J. Coopee, Adjutant and Inspector-general^ C. S. A. : 

♦General : — Inclosed, you will please find a copy of my official re- 
port of the bombardment of Fort Henry, on February 6th, 1862, by 
the Federal fleet, together with accompanying papers. 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 37 

The original of this report was forwarded from Alton, Illinois, but 
not having reached your office, I have prepared a copy of the same 
at the earliest moment practicable, since my release from Fort War- 
ren, Massachusetts. 

I remain, respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

LLOYD TILGHMAN, 
Brigadier- general C. S, A^ Commarvding. 



Report of Brigadier-general Tilghman on the 
Bombardment of Fort Henry. 

Febkuaky 12th, 1862. 
CoL. W. W. Mackall, 

A. A. General, C, S, Army^ Bowlhig Green: 

SiK : — My comillunication of the 7th inst., sent from Fort Henry, 
having announced the fact of the surrender of that fort to Com- 
modore Foote, of the Fedei-al navy, on the 6th inst., I have now 
the honor to submit the following report of the details of the action, 
together with the accompanying papers, marked (A) (B), oontainiug 
list of officers and men surrendered, together with casualties, <fec. 

On Monday, February 3d (instant), in company with Major 
Gilmer, of the engineers, I completed the inspection of the main 
work, as well as outworks at Fort Heiman, south of Tennessee 
river, as far as I had been able to perfect them, and also, the main 
work^ intrenched camp, and exterior line of rifle-pits at Fort Henry. 
At 10 o'clock, A. AT., on that morning, the pickets on both sides of 
Tennessee river, extended well in our front, having reix»rted no ap- 
pearance of the enemy, I left, in company with Major Gilmer, for 
Fort Donelson, for the purpose of inspecting, with him, the defences 
of that place. 

Tuesday, the 4th inst., was spent in making a thorough examina- 
tion of all the defences at Fort Donelson. At noon, heard heavy 
firing at Fort Henry for half an-hour. At 4 o'clock, p. m., a courier 
reached me from Col. Heiman, at Fort Henry, informing me that 
the enemy were landing in strong force at Bailey's Ferry, three 
miles below, and on the east bank of the river. 

Delaying no longer than was necessary to give all proper orders 
for the arrangement of matters at Fort Donelson, I left with au escort 



88 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

of Teimessee cavalry, under command of Lieut.-col. Gantt, for Foii 
Henry, accompanied b'y Major Gilmei- — reaching that place at 1 1 and 
a half, p. M. I soon became satisfied that the enemy were really in 
strong force at Bailey's Ferry, with every indication of reinforce- 
ments arriving constantly. Col. Heiman of the 10th Tennessee, 
commanding with most commendable alacrity and good judgment, 
had thrown forward, to the outworks covering the Dover road, two 
pieces of light artillery, supported by a detachment from the 4th 
Mississippi regiment, under command of Capt. Red. Scouting parties 
of cavalry, operating on both sides of the river, had been pushed for 
ward to within a very short distance of the enemy's lines. Without 
a moment's delay, after reaching the fort, I proceeded to arrange 
the available force to meet whatever contingency might arise. 

The First brigade, under Col. Heiman, was composed of the lOtb 
Tennessee, Lieut.-col. McGavock commanding ; 27th Alabama, under 
Col. Hughes; the 48th Tennessee, under Col. Voorhies; light bat- 
tery of four pieces, commanded by Capt. Culbertson, and the Ten- 
nessee battalion of cavalry, undei-. Lieut.-col. Gantt. Total, officers 
and men, 1444. The Second brigade, Coh Joseph Drake, 4th Mis- 
sissippi regiment, commanding, was composed of the 4th Mississii> 
pi, under Major Adair ; the 15th Arkansas, Col. Gee; the 51st Ten- 
nessee, Col. Browder ; Alabama battalion, Maj. Garvin ; light bat- 
tery of three pieces, under ^Capt. Clare, and the Alabama battalion 
of cavalry, Capt. Milners' company of cavalry, with Capt. Padgett's 
spy company, a detachment of Rangers, under acting Captain Mel- 
ton. Total, officers and men, 1215. The heavy artillery, under 
command of Capt. Taylor, numbering 75, were placed at the guns 
in Fort Henry. As indicated, some time since, to the general com- 
manding department, I found it impossible to hold the commanding 
ground, south of the Tennessee river, with the small force of badly 
armed men at my command, and, notwithstanding the fact, that all 
my defences were commanded by the high ground on which I had 
commenced the construction of Fort Heiman, I deemed it i)roper to 
trust to the fact that the extremely bad roads leading to that point 
would prevent the movement of heavy guns by the enemy, by which 
I might be annoyed ; and leaving the Alabama battalion of cavalry 
and Capt. Padgett's spy company on the western bank of the river, 
transferred the force encamped on that side to the opposite bank. 
At the time of receiving the first intimation of the approach of the 
enemy, the 48th and 51st Tennessee regiments having only just re- 
ported, were encamped at Danville, and at the mouth of Sandy, and 
had to be moved from five to twenty miles, in order to reach Fort 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 39 

Henry. This movement, together with the transfer of the 2'7th 
Alabama and 15th Arkansas regiments from Fort Heiman across 
the river, was all perfected by 5 o'clock, a. m., on the morning of 
the 5th, Early on the morning of the 5th the enemy was plainly to 
be seen at Bailey Ferry, three miles below. The large number of 
heavy transports reported by om* scouts gave evidence of the fact 
that the enemy were there in force, even at that time, and the arrival 
every hour of additional boats showed conclusively that I should be 
engaged with a heavy force by land, whilst the presence of seven 
gunboats, mounting fifty-four guns, indicated plainly that a joint at- 
tack was contemplated by land and water. 

On leaving Fort Donelson, I ordered Col. Head to hold his own 
and Col. Suggs' regiment of Tennessee Volunteers, with two pieces 
of artillery, ready to move at a moment's warning, with three days' 
cooked rations, and without camp equipage or wagon train of any 
kind, except enough to carry the surplus ammunition. On the 
morning of the 5th I ordered him, in case nothing more had been 
heard from the country below, on the Cumberland, at the time of 
the arrival of my messenger, indicating an intention on the part of 
the enemy to invest Fort Donelson, to move out Avith the two regi- 
ments, and the two pieces of artillery, and take position at the Fur- 
nace, half way on the Dover road to Fort Heniy, — the force em- 
braced in this order was about seven hundred and fifty men, — to act 
as circumstances might dictate. Thus matters stood at 9 a. m. on 
the morning of the 5th. 

The wretched military position of Fort Henry, and the small 
force at my disposal, did not permit me to avail myself of the ad- 
vantages to be derived from the system of outworks, built with the 
hope of being reinforced in time, and compelled me to determine 
to concentrate my efforts by land, within the rifle-pits surrounding 
the 10th Tennessee and 4th Mississippi regiments, in case I deemed 
it possible to do more than to operate solely against the attack by the 
river. Accordingly, my entire command was paraded and placed in 
the rifle-pits around the above camps, and minute instructions given, 
not only to brigades, but to regiments and companies, as to the ex- 
act ground each was to occupy. Seconded by the able assistance of 
Major Gilmer, of the engineers, of whose valuable services I thus 
early take pleasure in speaking, and by Cols. Heiman and Drake, 
every thing was arranged to make a formidable resistance against 
anything like fair odds. It was known to me, on the day before, 
that the enemy had reconnoitred the roads leading to Fort Donel- 
son, from Bailey's Ferry, by way of Iron Mountain Furnace, and at 



40 OFFICIAL REPORT OF BATTLES. 

10 o'clock, A, M., on the 5th, I sent forward fi'om Fort Henry a 
strong reconnoitring party of cavahy. They had not advanced 
more tlian one-and-a-half miles in the direction of the enemy when 
they encountered their reconnoitring party. Our cavalry charged 
them in gallant style, upon which the enemy's* cavalry fell back, 
with a loss of only one man on each side. 

Very soon the main body of the Federal advance-guard, com- 
posed of a regiment of infantry and a large force of cavalry, was 
met, upon which our cavalry retreated. On receipt of this news, I 
moved out in person with five companies of the 10th Tennessee, five 
companies of the 4th Mississippi, and fifty cavalry, ordering at the 
same time two additional companies of infantry to support Capt. 
Red at the outworks. Upon advancing well to the front I found 
that the enemy had retired. I returned to camp at 5 p. m,, leaving 
Capt. Red reinforced at the outworks. The enemy were again re- 
inforced by the arrival of a large number of transports. At night 
the pickets from the west bank reported the landing of troops on 
that side, opposite Bailey's Ferry, their advance pickets having been 
met one-and-a-half miles from the river. I at once ordered Capt. 
Hubbard, of the Alabama cavalry, to take fifty men, and, if possi- 
ble, surprise them. The inclemency of the weather, the rain having 
commenced to fall in torrents, prevented any thing being accora- 
jilished. Early on the morning of the 6th, Capt. Padgett reported 
the arrival of five additional transports over night, and the landing 
of a large force on the west bank of the river, at the point indicated 
above. From that time up to nine o'clock it appeared as though 
the force on the east bank was again reinforced, which was subse- 
quently proven to be true. The movements of the fleet of gun- 
boats at an early hour prevented any communication, except by a 
light barge, with the western bank, and by 10 o'clock, a. m., it was 
plain that the boats intended to engage the fort with their entire 
forces, aided by an attack on our right and left flanks from the two 
land forces in overwhelming numbers. To understand properly the 
difficulties of my position it is right that I should explain fully the 
unfortunate location of Fort Henry, in reference to resistance by a 
small force against an attack by land co-operating with the gun- 
boats, as well as its disadvantages in even an engagement with boats 
alone. The entire fort, together with the intrenched camp spoken 
of, is enfiladed from three or four points on the opposite shore, 
whilst three points on the eastern bank completely command them 
both, all at easy cannon range. At the same time the intrenched 
cam}), arranged as it was in the best possible manner to meet the 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 41 

case, was two-thirds of it completely under the control of the fire 
of the gunboats. The history of military engineering records no 
parallel to this case. Points within a few miles of it, possessino" 
great advantages and few disadvantages, were totally neglected 
and a location fixed upon, without one redeeming feature, or filling 
one of the many requirements of a site for a work such as Fort 
Henry. The work itself was well built ; it was completed long be- 
fore I took command, but strengthened greatly by myself in build- 
ing eifibrasures and epaulements of sand-bags. An enemy had but 
to use their most common sense in obtaining the advantage of hio-h 
water, as was the case, to have complete and entire control of the 
position. I am guilty of no act of injustice in this frank avowal of 
the opinions entertained by myself, as well as by all other officers 
who have become familiar with the location of Fort Henry. Nor 
do I desire the defects of location to have an undue influence in di- 
recting public opinion in relation to the battle of the 6th instant. 
The fort was built when I took charge, and I had no time to build 
anew. With this seeming digression, rendered necessary as I be- 
lieve to a correct understanding of the whole affair, I will proceed 
with the details of the subsequent movements of the troops under 
my command. By 10 o'clock, a. m., on the 6th, the movements of 
the gunboats and land force indicated an immediate eno-ao-ement 
and in such force as gave me no room to change my previously con- 
ceived opinions as to what, under such circumstances, should be my 
course. 

The case stood thus : I had at my command a grand total of 2610 
men, only one-third of whom had been at all disciphned or well armed. 
The high water in the river filling the sloughs, gave me but one 
route on which to retire, if necessary, and that route for some dis- 
tance, in direction, at right angles to the line of approach of the 
enemy, and over roads well nigh impassable for artillery, cavalry, or 
infantry. 

The enemy had seven gunboats, with an armament of fifty-four 
guns, to engage the eleven guns at Fort Henry. 

Gen. Grant was moving up the east bank of the river from his 
landing three miles below Avith a force of twelve thousand men, 
verified afterwards by his own statement ; whilst Gen. Smith, with 
six thousand men, was moving up the west bank to take a position 
within four or five hundred yards, which would enable him to enfilade 
my entire works. The hopes (founded on a knowledge of the fact, 
that the enemy had reconnoitred on the two previous days thoroughly 
the several roads leading to Fort Donelson) that a portion only of 



42 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

the land force would co-operate with the gunboats in an attack on 
the fort, were dispelled, and but little time left me to meet this change 
in the circumstances which surrounded me. I argued thus : Fort 
Donelson might possibly be held, if properly reinforced^ even though 
Fort Henry should fall, but the reverse of this proposition was not 
true. The force at Fort Henry was necessary to aid Fort Donelson, 
either in making a successful defence, or in holding it long enough 
to answer the purposes of a new disposition of the entire army from 
Bowling Green to Columbus, which would necessarily follow the 
breaking of our centre, resting on Forts Donelson and Henry. The 
latter alternative was all that I deemed possible. I knew that rein- 
forcements were difficult to be had, and that unless sent in such 
force as to make the defence certain^ which I did not believe j^i'ac- 
ticable, the fate of our right wing at Bowling Green dej^ended upon 
a concentration of my entire division on Fort Donelson, and the 
holding of that place as long as possible, trusting that the delay by 
an action at Fort Henry, would give time for such reinforcement as 
might reasonably be expected to reach a point sufficiently near 
Donelson to co-operate with my division by getting to the rear and 
right flank of the enemy, and in such a position*as to control the roads, 
over which a safe retreat might be effijcted. I hesitated not a mo- 
ment. My infantry, artillery, and cavalry, removed of necessity, to 
avoid the fire of the gunboats, to the outworks, could not meet the 
enemy there. My only chance was to delay the enemy every mo- 
ment possible, and retire the command, now outside the main work, 
towards Fort Donelson, resolving to suffiar as little loss as possible. 
I retained only the heavy artillery company to fight the guns, and 
gave the order to commence the movement at once. At 10 1-4 
o'clock, Lieut. McGavock sent a messenger to me, stating that our 
pickets reported Gen. Grant appi'oaching rapidly, and within half a 
mile of the advance work, and movements on the west bank indicated 
that Gen. Smith was fast approaching also. 

The enemy, ignorant of any movement of my main body, but 
knowing that they could not engage them behind our intrenched 
camp, imtil after the fort was reduced, or the gunboats retired, 
without being themselves exposed to the fife of the latter, took a 
position north of the forks of the Dover road in a dense wood (my 
order being to retreat by way of Stewart road), to await the result. 
At 11 A. M., the flotilla assumed their line of battle. I had no hope 
of being able successfully to defend the fort against such over- 
whelming odds, both in point of numbers and in calibre of guns. 
My object was to save the main body by delaying matters as long 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLFS. 43 

as possible, and to this end I bent every effort. At 11.45 a. m., 
tlie enemy opened from their gunboats on the fort. I waited a few 
moments until the eifects of the first shots of the enemy were fully 
appreciated. I then gave the order to return the fire, which was 
gallantly responded to by the brave little band under my com- 
mand. The enemy with great deliberation, steadily closed upon 
the fort, firing very wild until within twelve hvmdred yards. Tlie 
cool deliberation of our men told from the first shot fired with 
tremendous eflTect. At twenty-five minutes of 1 o clock, p. jr., the 
bursting of our 24-pounder rifle gun disabled every man at the 
piece. 

This great loss was to us in a degree made up by our disabling 
entirely the Essex gunboat, which immediately floated down 
stream. Immediately after the loss of this valuable gun, we sus- 
tained another loss still greater, in the closing up of the vent of the 
10-inch columbiad, rendering that gun perfectly useless, and defy- 
ing all eflforts to reopen it. 

The fire on both sides was now perfectly terrific. The enemy's 
entire force was engaged, doing us but little harm, whilst our shot 
fell with unerring certainty upon them, and with stunning eflTect. 
At this time, a question presented itself to me, with no inconsider- 
able degree of embarrassment. The moment had arrived when I 
should join the main body of troops retiring towards Fort Donelsou, 
the safety of which depended upon a protracted defence of the fort. 
It was equally plain, that the gallant men working the batteries 
(for the first time under fire), with all their heroism, needed my 
presence. Col. Heiman, the next in command, had returned to the 
fort for instructions. The men working the heavy guns were be- 
coming exhausted with the rapid firing. Another gun became use- 
less by an accident, and yet another by the explosion of a shell im- 
mediately after stiiking the muzzle, involving the death of two men 
and disabling several others. The efiect of my absence, at such a 
critical moment, would have been disastrous. At the earnest soli- 
citations of many of my oflicers and men, I determined to remain, 
and ordered Col. Heiinan to join his command and keep up the re- 
treat in good order, whilst I would fight the guns as long as one 
was left, and sacrifice myself to save the main body of my troops. 
No sooner was this decision made known, than new energy was in- 
fused. The enemy closed upon the fort to within six hundred 
yards, improving very much in their fire, which now began to tell 
with great effect upon the parapets, whilst the fire from our guns 
(now reduced to seven) was returned with such deliberation and 



44 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

judgment that we scarcely missed a shot. A second one of the 
gunboats retired, but I believe was brought into action again. At 
1 o'clock 10 minutes, so completely broken down were the men, 
that but for the fact that four only of our guns were then really 
serviceable — I could not well have worked a greater number. The 
fire was still continued with great energy and tremendous efiect 
upon the enemy's boats. At 1.30 o'clock, I took charge of one of 
the 32-pounders to relieve the chief of that piece, who had worked 
it with great effect from the beginning of the action. I gave the 
flagship Cincinnati two shots, which had the effect to check a move- 
ment intended to enfilade the only gun now left me. 

It was now plain to be seen that the enemy were breaching the 
fort directly in front of our guns, and that I could not much longer 
sustain their fire without an unjustifiable exposure of the valuable 
lives of the men who had so nobly seconded me in the unequal 
struggle. Several of my ofiicers. Major Gilmer among the number, 
now suggested to me the propriety of taking the subject of a sur- 
render into consideration. 

Every moment, I knew, was of vast importance to those retreat- 
ing on Fort Donelson, and I declined, hoping to find men enough 
at hand to continue awhile longer the fire now so destructive to 
the enemy. In this I was disappointed. My next effort was to try 
the experiment of a flag of truce, which I waved from the parapets 
myself. This was precisely at 10 minutes before 2 o'clock, p. m. 
The flag was not noticed, I presume, from the dense smoke that 
enveloped it, and leaping again into the fort, I continued the fire 
for five minutes, wlien, with the advice of my brother oflicers, I or- 
dered the flag to be lowered, after an engagement of two hours 
and ten minutes with such an unequal force. 

Tlie surrender was made to Flag-oflicer Foote, represented by 
Capt. Stemble, commanding gunboat Cincinnati, and was qualified 
by the' single condition that all oflicers should retain their side arms, 
that both oflicers and men should be treated with the highest con- 
sideration due prisoners of war, which was promptly and gracefully 
acceded to by Com. Foote. 

The retreat of the main body was eftected in good order, though 
involving the loss of about twenty prisoners, who from sickness and 
other causes, were unable to encounter the heavy roads. The rear 
of the army was overtaken at a distance of some three miles from 
Fort Henry by a body of the enemy's cavalry, but on being engaged 
by a small body of our men, under Major Carving, were repulsed 
and retired. This fact alone shows the necessity of the policy pur- 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 45 

sued by me in protracting the defence of the fort as long as j^ossi- 
ble — whicli only could have been done by my consenting to stand 
by the brave little band. No loss was sustained by our troops in 
this affair with the enemy. I have understood from the prisoners, 
that several pieces of artillery also were lost, it being entirely im- 
possible to move them over four or five miles with the indifferent 
teams attached to them. 

The entire abscfnce of transportation rendered any attempt to 
move the camp equipage of the regiments impossible. This may be 
regarded as fortunate, as the roads were utterly impassable, not only 
from the rains, but the backwater of the Tennessee river. 

A small amount of quarter-master's and commissary stores, to- 
gether Avith what was left of the ordnance stores, were lost to us ; 
also the tents of the Alabama regiment were left on the west bank 
of the river, the gunboats preventing an opportunity to cross them 
over. Our casualties may be reported strictly as follows : killed by 
the enemy, two; wounded severely by the enemy, three (one 
since dead) ; wounded slightly by the enemy, two ; killed by pre- 
mature explosion, two ; wounded seriously by premature explosion, 
one; slightly wounded, one; temporarily disabled by explosion of 
rifle gun, five ; making total killed, five ; seriously wounded, three ; 
slightly wounded, three ; disabled, five ; missing, five ; total casual- 
ties, twenty-one. The total casualties of the enemy were stated, in 
my presence on the following morning, to be seventy-three, includ- 
ing one officer of Essex killed, and Capt. Porter, commanding Es- 
sex, badly scalded. 

The enemy report the number of shot that struck their vessels to 
have been seventy-four, twenty-eight of which struck tlie flag-ship 
Cincinnati, so disabling her as to compel her to return to Cairo. 
The Essex received twenty-tAvo shots, one of which passed, we 
know, entirely through rtie ship, opening one of her boilers and 
taking ofi" the head of Capt. Porter's aid-de-camp. Several shots 
passed entirely through the Cincinnati, whilst her underworks were 
completely riddled. 

The weak points in all their vessels were known to us, and the 
cool precision of oiir firing developed them, showing conclusively 
that this class of boats, though formidable, cannot stand the test of 
even the thirty-two pounders, much less the twenty-four calibre rifle 
shot, or that of the ten-inch coluinbiad. It should be remembered 
that these results were principally from no heavier metal than the 
ordinary thirty-two pounders using solid shot, fired at point blank, 
giving vessels all the advantages of its peculiar structure, with 



46 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

jjlanes meeting this fire at angles of forty-five degrees. The im- 
mense area forming what may be called the roof is in every respect 
vulnerable to either a plunging fire from even thirty-two pounders 
or a curved line of fire from heavy guns. In the latter case shells 
should be used in preference to shot. 

Confident of having performed my whole duty to my Government 
in the defence of Fort Henry, with the totally inadequate means at 
my disposal, I have but little to add in support of the views before 
expressed. The reasons for the Hue of policy pursued by me, are, 
to my mind, convincing. 

Against such overwhelming odds as sixteen thousand well-armed 
men (exclusive of the force on the gunboats), to two thousand six 
hundred and ten badly armed in the field, and fifty-four heavy guns 
against eleven medium ones, in the fort, no tactics or bravery could 
avail. The rapid movements of the enemy, with every facility at 
their command, rendered the defence, from the beginning, a hopeless 
one. I succeeded in doing even more than was to be hoped for at 
first. I not only saved my entire command, outside the fort, but 
damaged, materially, the flotilla of the enemy, demonstrating 
thoroughly a problem of infinite value to us in the future. Had I 
been reinforced so as to have justified my meeting the enemy at the 
advanced works, I might have made good the land defence on the 
east bank. I make no inquiry as to why I was not, for I have en- 
tire confidence in the judgment of my commanding general. 

The elements even were against us, and had the enemy delayed 
nis attack a few days, with the river rising, one-third of the entire 
fortification (already affected by it) would have been washed away, 
whilst the remaining portion of the works would have been unten- 
able by reason of the depth of water over the whole interior por- 
tion. 

The number of officers surrendered (s^e paper marked A) was 
twelve. The number of non-commissioned officers and privates in 
the fort at the time of the surrender (see paper marked B) was 
sixty-six, whilst the number in hospital boat (Patton) was (see paper 
marked C) sixteen. 

I take great pleasure in making honorable mention of all the 
officers and men under my command. To Capt. Taylor of the 
artillery, and the officers of his corps, Lieuts. Watts and Weller ; to 
Capt. G. R, G. Jones, in command of the right battery; to Capts. 
Miller and Hayden of the engineers ; to A. A. A. General McCor- 
nico ; to Capt. H. L. Jones, Brigade Quarter-master ; to Capt. Mc- 
Laughlin, Quarter-master 10th Tennessee, and to Surgeons Voorhies 



OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 47 

and Horton, of the lOth Tennessee, the thanks of the whole coun- 
try are due for their consummate devotion to our high and holy 
cause. To Sergeants John Jones, Hallum, Cubine, and Selkirk ; to 
CorjDorals Capass, Cavin, and Kenfro, in charge of guns, as well as 
to all the men, I feel a large debt is due for their bravery and effi- 
ciency, in working the heavy guns so long and so efficiently. 
Officers and men alike seemed actuated by one spirit, that of devo- 
tion to a cause in which was involved " life, liberty, and tlie pursuit 
of happiness," Every blow struck was aimed by cool heads, sup- 
ported by strong arms and honest hearts. I feel that it is a duty I 
owe to Col. A. Heiman, commanding 10th Tennessee regiment, to 
give this testimony of my high appreciation of him as a soldier and 
as a man, due to his gallant regiment, both officers and men. I 
place them second to no regiment I have seen in the army. 

To Capt. Dixon of the engineers, I owe, as does the whole 
country, my special acknowledgments of his ability and unceasing 
energies. Under his immediate eye, were all the works proposed 
by myself at Forts Donelson and Heiman executed, whilst his 
fruitfulness in resources to meet the many disadvantages of iwsition, 
alone enabled us to combat its difficulties successfully. 

To Lieut. Watts, of the heavy artillery, as acting ordnance offi- 
cer at Fort Henry, I owe this special notice of the admirable con- 
dition of the Ordnance Department at that post. Lieut. Watts is 
the coolest officer under fire I ever met with, 

I take pleasure in acknowledging the marked courtesy and con- 
sideration of Flag-officer Foote of the Federal navy, of Capt. 
Stemble and the other naval officers to myself, officers, and men. 
Their gallant bearing during the action, gave evidence of a brave, 
and, therefore, generous foe. 

Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
(Signed,) LLOYD TILGHMAIST, 

Brig.-gen. commanding. 
(Official,) ED. A. PALFRED, 

A. A. General, 

A. & I. G. Office, August 29, 1862. 



48 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATILES. 



Supplement to the Report of Gen. Tilghman. 

Richmond, Aug. 9th, 1862. 

My attention having been called, since writing the above report, 
to certain statements made in the somewhat unofficial reports of the 
battles at Fort Donelson, on the subject of the condition of the 
fortifications at that place, at the time of the arrival of the re- 
inforcements, I deem it highly proper to protect my own, as well 
as the reputation of the officers and men of my command, and place 
the facts of the case on record. 

Nearly broken down by incessant work from the middle of June, 
in organizing and perfecting the first Kentucky brigade, and in re- 
modelling the brigade at Hopkinsville, Ky., I was not in the best 
condition, so late as the \htlh of Decemher, to commence in a new 
field of operations,^nd work into perfect shape a third brigade, and 
cai-ry on the system of fortifications on both the Cumberland and 
Tennessee, necessary for the important line intrusted to my care. 
The facts of the case are simply these : On reaching Fort Donelson, 
the middle of December, I found at my disposal, six undisciplined 
companies of infantry, with an unorganized light battery. Whilst 
a small water battery of two light guns constituted the available 
river defence. Four 32-pounders had been rightly jjlaced, but were 
not available. By the 25th of January, I had prepared the entire 
batteries (except one piece which arrived too late) for the river de- 
fences, built the entire field work with a trace of 2900 feet, and in 
the most substantial manner, constructed a large amount of abatis, 
and commenced guarding the approaches by rifle-pits and abatis. 
This was all done when the reinforcements arrived, and when the 
total lack of transportation is taken into consideration, as well as 
the inclemency of the season, and yet find not only the original 
troops there, but nearly all ray reinforcements housed in something 
like four hundred good cabins, I conceive my time to have been 
well spent. Whilst this was being done, the strengthening of Fort 
Henry, the building of all the outworks around it, together with the 
advanced state of the new works south of Tennessee river, — Fort 
Heiman, together with its line of rifle-pits and abatis, was all 
thoroughly performed, and satisfy my own mind that officers and 
men could not have fallen short in their duties to have accomplished 
BO much. The failure of adequate support, doubtless from sufficient 
causse, cast me on my own resources, and compelled me to assume 



OFFICIAL BEPORTS OF BATTLES. 49 

responsibilities which may have worked a partial evil. I aimed at 
the general good^ and am the last man to shrink from assuming what 
is most likely to accomplish such an end. I would further state 
that I had connected both Forts Henry and Donelson by a line of 
telegraph from Cumberland City, total length of the line about 
thirty-five miles, thus placing me in close relations with Bowling 
Green and Columbus. 



(A) 

List of Commissioned Officers surrendered at Fort Henrv, Febru- 
ary 6, 1862. 

Brigadier-general Lloyd Tilghman, commanding. 

Captain H. L. Jones, Quarter-master's Department. 
• Captain John McLaughlin, Quarter-master's Department. 

Captain Joseph A. Miller, Engineer Department. 

Captain J. A. Haydon, " " 

Captain G. R. G. Jones, Heavy Artillery. 

A. A. A. General W. L. McCornico. 

Captain Jesse Taylor, Artillery. 

Lieutenant W. O. Watts, " 

Lieutenant F. J. Weller, " 

Surgeon A. H. Voorhies, Medical Department. 

Assistant-surgeon W. D. Horton, Medical Department. 

(B) 

List of Non-commissioned Officers and Privates, surrendered at 

Fort Henry, February 6, 1862. 

1st Sergeant John Jones, Sergeant H. C. Hallum, Sergeant W. 
J. B. Cubine, Sergeant W. H. Selkirk. 

Corporal N. Capass, wounded ; Corporal S. W. Greenleaf. 

Privates— Ed. Drake, J. B. White, Thos. Buckingham, Patrick 
Stout, C. C. Brooks, C. C. Whitford, John Elliott, O. P. Saltsgiver, 
Alex. Joyce, Thomas Moran, Michael Dassey, L, A. Garvin, A. G. 
Gibson, S. D, Johnson, John Hardin, Wm. Daniels, William Carter, 
Thomas Philips, James Campbell, D. H. Hatin, James McHngh, W. 
H. Rutherford, L. C. Thoraason, John Wyall, E. F. Lyle,"M. M. 
Bailey, M. V. Ray, S. R. Myers, B. Sharp, H. Carter, W. J. Miles, 
C. C. Jones, S. G. Casey, James Mosley, G. W. Cattrell, H. C. Pesk, 
Fred. Waller, O. F. Wickerson, J. C. Hickey, John Long, R. Gar- 
ner, T. M. Menitt, J. T. Marshall, J. W. Marshall. 

4 



50 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

THE BATTLE OF FORT DONELSON. 

Brig.-gen. Floyd, commanding. 



Camp, keae Mukfeeesboko', February 27th, 1862. 
Gen. a. S. Johnston: 

Sir: — Your order of the 12th of this month, transmitted to me 
from Bowling Green by telegraph to Cumberland City, reached me 
the same evening. It directed me to repair at once, with what 
force I could command, to the support of the garrison at Fort Don- 
elson. I immediately prepared for my departure; and effected it in 
time to reach Fort Donelson the next morning, 13th, befoi'e day- 
light. Measures had been already taken by Brig.-gen. Pillow, then 
in command, to render our resistance to the attack of the enemy as 
effectual as possible. He had, with activity and industry, pushed 
forward the defensive works towards completion. These defences 
consisted of an earth-work in Fort Donelson, in which were mounted 
guns of different calibres to the number of thirteen, A field work, 
intended for the infantry support, was constructed immediately 
behind the battery, and upon the summit of the hill in rear. 
Sweeping away from this field work eastward, to the extent of 
nearly two miles in its windings, was a line of intrenchments, de- 
fended on the outside at some points with abatis. These intrench- 
ments were occupied by the troops already there, and by the addi- 
tion of those which came upon the field Avith me. The position of 
the fort, which was established by the Tennessee authorities, was 
by no means commanding, nor was the least military significance 
attached to the position. The intrenchments, afterwards hastily 
made, in many places Avere injudiciously constructed, because of the 
distance they were placed from the brow of the hill, subjecting the 
men to a heavy fire from the enemy's sharpshooters opposite, as 
they advanced to or retired from the intrenchments. Soon after 
my arrival, the intrenchments were fully occupied from one end to 
the other, and just as the sun rose, the cannunade, from one of the 
enemy's gunboats, announced the opening of the conflict, which 
was destined to continue for three days and nights. In a very 
short time the fire became general along our Avhole lines, and the 
enemy, who had already planted batteries at several points around 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 51 

the whole circuit of our intrenchments, as shown by a diagram here- 
with sent, opened a general and active fire from all arms upon our 
trenches, which continued until dai-kness put an end to the conflict. 
They charged with uncommon spirit at several points along on the 
lino, but most particularly at n point undefended by intrenchments, 
down a hollow, which separated the right wing, under the command, 
of Brig.-gen. Buckner, from the right of the centre, commanded by 
Col. Heiman. This charge was prosecuted with uncommon vigor, 
but was met with a determined spii'it of resistance, a cool, delib- 
ei-ate courage, both by the troops of Brig.-gen. Buckner and Col. 
Heiman, which drove the enemy discomfited, and cut to pieces, 
back upon the position he had assumed in the morning. Too high 
l^raise cannot be bestowed upon the battery of Capt. Porter, for 
their participation in the rout of the enemy in this assault. My 
position was immediately in front of the point of attack, and I was 
thus enabled to witness more distinctly the incidents of it. The 
enemy continued their fire upon different parts of our intrenchments 
throughout the night, which deprived our men of any opportunity 
to sleep. We lay that night upon our arms in the trenches. We 
confidently expected at the dawn of day a more vigorous attack 
than ever, but in this we were entirely mistaken. The day ad- 
vanced, and no preparation seemed to be making for a general 
onset, but an extremely annoying fire was kept up from the enemy's 
sharpshooters, throughout the whole length of the intrenchments, 
from their long range rifles. Whilst this mode of attack was not 
attended with any considerable loss, it nevertheless confined the 
men to their trenches, and prevented them from taking their usual 
rest. So stood the affairs of the field until about 3 o'clock p. m., 
when the fleet of gunboats, in full force, advanced upon the fort, 
and opened fire. They advanced in the shape of a crescent, and 
kept up a constant and incessant fire for one hour and a half, which 
was replied to with uncommon vigor and spirit by the fort. Once 
the boats reached a point within a few hundred yards of the fort, 
at which time it was that three of their boats sustained serious in- 
juries from our batteries, and were compelled to fall back. The 
line was broken, and the enemy discomfited on the water, giving 
up the fight entii-ely, which he soon afterwards renewed. I was 
satisfied, from the incidents of the last two days, that the enemy 
did not intend again to give us battle in our trenches. They had 
been fairly repulsed, with very heavy slaughter, upon every eflfort 
to storm our position, and it was but fiiir to infer that they would 
not again renew the unavailing attempt at our dislodgement, when 



52 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

certain means to effect the same end without loss were perfectly at 
their command. 

We were aware of the fact, that extremely heavy reinforcements 
had been continually arriving day and night, for three days and 
nights, and I had no doubt whatever that their whole available force 
on the western waters could and would be concentrated here, if it 
was deemed necessary, to reduce our position. I had already seen 
the impossibility of holding out for any length of time, with our in- 
adequate number and indefensible position, Tliere was no place 
within our intrenchments but could be reached by the enemy's 
artillery from their boats or their batteries. It was but fair to 
infer, that whilst they kept up a sufficient lire upon our intrench- 
ments to keep our men from sleep and prevent repose, their object 
was merely to give time to pass a column above us on the river, 
both on the right and left banks, and thus to cut off all our com- 
munication, and to prevent the possibility of egress. 

I thus saw clearly that but one course was left, by which a rational 
hope cou.ld be entertained of saving the garrison, or a part of it — 
that was, to dislodge the enemy frona the position on our left, and 
thus to pass our people into the open country lying southward 
towards Nashville. I called for a consultation of the officers of 
divisions and brigades, to take place after dark, when this plan was 
laid before them, approved, and adopted ; and at which time it was 
determined to move from the trenches at an early hour, on the next 
morning, and attack the enemy in his position. It was agreed that 
the attack should commence upon our extreme left, and this duty_ 
was assigned to Brig.-gen. Pillow, assisted by Brig,-gen. Johnson, 
having also under his command, commanders of brigades — Col. 
Baldwin commanding Mississippi and Tennessee troops, and Col. 
Wharton and Col. McCausland commanding Virginians. To Brig.- 
gen. Buckner was assigned the duty of making the attack from near 
the centre of our lines upon the enemy's forces upon the Wynn's 
ferry road. The attack on the left was delayed longer than I ex- 
pected, and consequently the enemy was found in position when 
our troops advanced. The attack, however, on our part, was ex- 
tremely spirited, and although the resistance of the enemy was 
obstinate, and their numbers far exceeded ours, our jDeoj^le suc- 
ceeded in driving them discomfited and terribly cut to pieces from 
the entire left. The Kentucky troops under Brig.-gen. Buckner 
advanced from their position behind the intrenchments up the 
Wynn's ferry road, but not until the enemy had been driven, in a 
great measure, from the position he occupied in the morning. I 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 53 

had ordered, on the night before, that the two regiments stationed 
in Fort Donelson should occupy the trenches vacated by Brig.- 
gen. Buckner's forces, which, together with the men whom he de- 
tached to assist in this jKirpose, I thouglit sufficient to hold them. 
My intention was to hold, with Brig.-gen. Buckner's command, the 
Wynn's ferry road, and thus to prevent the enemy, during the 
night, from occupying the position on our left, which he occupied 
in the morning. I gave him orders upon the field to that eflect. 
Leaving him in position then, I started for the right of our com- 
mand, to see that all was secure there, my intention being, if things 
could be held in the condition they then were, to move the whole 
army, if possible, to the open country, lying southward, beyond the 
Randolph forge. During ray absence, and from some misappre- 
hension, I presume, of the previous order given, Brig.-gen. Pillow 
ordered Brig.-gen, Buckner to leave his position on the Wynn's ferry 
road, and to secure his place in his trenches on the right. This 
movement was nearly executed before I was aware of it. As the 
enemy were pressing upon the trenches, I deemed that the execution 
of this last order was all that was left to be done. The enemy, in 
fact, succeeded in occupying one -angle of the trenches on the ex- 
treme right of Brig.-gen. Buckner's command, and as the fresh 
forces of the enemy had begun already to move towards our left, 
to occupy the position they held in the morning, and as we had no 
force adequate to oppose their progress, we had to submit to the 
mortification of seeing the ground which we had won, by such a 
severe conflict in the morning, reoccupied by the enemy before 
midnight. 

The enemy had been landing reinforcements throughout the day. 
His numbers had been augmented to eighty-three regiments. Our 
troops were completely exhausted by four days and nights of con- 
tinued conflict. To renew it with any hope of successful result was 
obviously vain, and such I understood to be the unanimous opinion 
of all the officers present at the council, called to consider what was 
best to be done. I thought, and so announced, that a desperate 
onset upon the right of the enemy's forces, on the ground where we 
had attacked them in the morning, might result in the extricating of 
a considerable proportion of the command from the position we were 
in, and this opinion I understood to be concurred in by all who were 
present; but it was likewise agreed, with the same unanimity, that 
it would result in the slaughter of nearly all who did not succeed in 
effecting their escape. The question then arose, whether in point 
of humanity and a sound military policy, a course should be adopted 



64: OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

from which the probabilities were that the larger proportion of 
the command would be cut to pieces in an unavailing fight against 
overwhelming numbers. I understood the general sentiment to be 
adverse to the j^roposition, I felt that in this contingency, whilst 
it might be questioned whether I should, as commander of the 
army, lead it to certain destruction in an unavailing fight, yet, I had 
a right individually to determine that I would not survive a sur- 
render there. To satisfy both proiDOsitions, I agreed to hand over 
the command to Brig,-ggn. Buckner, through Brig.-gen. Pillow, and 
to make an effort for my own extrication by any and every means 
that might present themselves to me. I, therefore, directed Col. 
Forrest, a daring and determined ofiicer, at the head of an efficient 
regiment of cavalry, to be present for the pur^DOse of accompanying 
me in what I supposed would be an eflbrt to pass through the 
enemy's lines, I announced the fact, upon turning the command 
over to Brig.-gen. Buckner, that I would bring away with me, by 
any means I could command, my own particular brigade, the pro- 
priety of which was acquiesced in on all hailds. This, by various 
modes I succeeded in accomplishing to a great extent, and Avould 
have brought ofif my whole command, in one way or another, if I 
had had the assistance of the field officers, who were absent from 
several of the regiments. The command was turned over to Brig.- 
gen. Buckner, who at once opened negotiations with the enemy, 
whic'h resulted in the surrender of the place. Thus ended the con- 
flict, running through four days and four nights^ a large portion of 
which time it was maintained with the greatest fierceness and ob- 
stinacy; in which we, with a force not exceeding 13,000, a large 
portion of whom were iUy armed, succeeded in resisting and driving 
back with discomfiture, an army consisting of more than 50,000 
men. I have no means of accurately estimating the loss of the 
enemy. From what I saw upon the battlefield, from what I wit- 
nessed throughout the whole period of the conflict, from what I 
was able to learn from sources of information, deemed by me worthy 
of credit, I have no doubt that the enemy's loss in killed and 
wounded, reached a number beyond 5000 (five thousand). Our 
own losses were extremely heavy, but for want of exact returns, I 
am unable to state precise numbers. I think they will not be fir 
from fifteen hundred, killed and wounded. Nothing could exceed 
the coolness and determined spirit of resistance which animated the 
men in this long and perilous conflict ; nothing could exceed the 
determined courage which characterized them throughout this 
struggle, and nothing could be more admirable than the steadiness 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 65 

which they exhibited until nature itself was exhausted, in what they 
knew to -he a desperate fight against a foe very many times their 
superior in numbers. I cannot particularize in this report to you, 
the numberless instances of heroic daring, performed by both officers 
and men, but must content myself for the present, by saying, in my 
judgment, they all deserve well of the country. 
I have the honor to be. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

JOHN B. FLOYD, 

Brig.-gen. commanding. 



Supplemental Report of Brigadier-general Floyd. 

Knoxville, Tennessee, March 20, 1862. 
H. P. Brewster, A. A, General : 

Sir: Your communication of the 16th instant, from Decatur, 
reached me here to-day, where I came in compliance with an order 
from Major-gen. Smith, who felt his position endangered from the 
advance of the enemy. 

In that communication you say: "Under date of March the 11th, 
the Secretary of War says : 'The reports of Gens. Floyd and Pil- 
low are unsatisfactory, and the President directs that both these 
generals be relieved from command till further orders.' He further 
directs Gen. Johnston ' in the mean time to request them to add to 
their reports such statements as they may deem proper on the fol- 
lowing points : 

' 1st. The failure to give timely notice of the insufficiency of the 
garrison of Fort Donelson to repel attack. 

' 2d. The feilure of any attempt to save the army by evacuating 
the post when found to be untenable. 

' 3d. Why they abandoned the command to their inferior officer, 
instead of executing themselves whatever measure was deemed 
proper for the entire army. 

' 4th. What was the precise mode by which each effected his es- 
cape from the post, and what dangers were encountered in the re- 
treat. 



66 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

' 5th. Upon what principle a selection was made of particular 
troops, being certain regiments of the senior general's brigade, to 
whose use all the transportation on hand was appropriated. 

' 6th. A particular designation of the regiments saved and the 
regiments abandoned, which formed part of the senior general's 
brigade.' 

" In obedience to this order, I am directed by Gen. Johnston to 
request your compliance with the wishes of the President in these 
particulars, with as little delay as possible, and forward the report to 
these head-quarters. 

" Under the same direction Gen. Johnston has required a report 
from Col. Forrest, detailing particularly the time and manner of 
his escape from Fort Donelson, the road he took, the number of 
enemies he met or saw in making his escape, and the difficulties 
which existed to prevent the remainder of the army from following 
the route taken by him in his escape with his command." 

I give at once the additional information which seems to be asked 
for in the communication of the Secretary of War to which you refer. 

The first charge is as follows : 

" The failure to give timely notice of the insufficiency of the gar- 
rison of Fort Donelson to repel attacks." 

I presume the general knew, before I was ordered to Fort Don- 
elson, that neither the Avorks nor the troops sent there could with- 
stand the force which he knew the enemy had in hand, and which 
could be brought speedily to that point. I knew perfectly well that 
if the M'hole force under Gen, Johnston's command at Bowling 
Green had been sent to Fort Donelson, it would prove utterly insuf- 
ficient to repel the advance of the enemy up the Cumberland river. 
Gen. Johnston's entire force, including the troops at Donelson, as I 
understood it, did not exceed thirty thousand (30,000) men. I 
knew, what I believed everybody else did, for it was made public 
through the newspapers, that the enemy had in Kentucky alone one 
hundred and nineteen (119) regiments, and that he had nearly, it 
not quite, as many at Cairo, St. Louis, and the towns near the 
mouth of the Cumberland. It was also known that the enemy had 
imlimited means of transportation for concentrating troops. Plow 
then was it possible for Gen. Johnston's whole army to meet that 
force, which was known to be moving towards the mouths of the 
Tennessee and Cumberland rivers ? The sequel proved that this 
information was correct, for not only were the troops occupying 
Kentucky sent up the Cumberland, but large additions were made 
to them from Missouri and Illinois, as stated by prisoners and by 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 57 

the official reports of their own commanders. I could not, under a 
sense of duty, call for reinforcements, because the force under Gen. 
Johnston was not strong enough to afford a sufficient number to 
hold the place. I considered the place illy chosen, out of position, 
and entirely indefensible by any reinforcements which could be 
brought there to its support. It had but thirteen guns, and it 
turned out that but three of these were effective against iron-clad 
steamers. I thought the force already there sufficient for sacrifice, 
as well as enough to hold the place until Bowling Green could be 
evacuated with its supplies and munitions of war. This I supposed 
to be the main object of the movement to Donelson, and the only 
good that could be effected by desperately holding that post with 
the entirely inadequate means in hand for defence of the Cumber- 
land and Tennessee rivers. 

With a less force than fifty thousand (50,000) men, the position 
at Fort Donelson was, in my judgment, quite untenable, and even 
with that force it could have been held for only a short time, unless 
a force of twenty thousand (20,000) men was supporting it at 
Clarksville, and twenty-five thousand (25,000) more at least had 
been stationed at Nashville. While these were my own views 
and opinions, I nevertheless transmitted to Gen. Johnston the 
exact state of affiiirs at the fort at every stage of the conflict. 

My views and opinions upon the defence of Fort Donelson, and 
the means of extricating the army from the trap in which necessity 
had thrown them there, had been set forth in a letter addressed to 
the general from Clarksville before I received orders to go to Fort 
Donelson, bearing date 12th of February. I annex a copy of that 
letter. 

Clarksville, Tenn., Feb. 12, 18G2. 
General Johnston : 

Sir : — There is but little known satisfactorily of the enemy or 
their movements ; up to 10 o'clock last night all was quiet as usual 
at the fort. General Buckner is now there. I have thought the 
best disposition to make of the troops on this line was to concen- 
trate the main force at Cumberland City — leaving at Fort Donelson 
enough to make all possible resistance to any attack which may be 
made upon the for% but no more. The character of the country 
in the rear and to the left of the fort is such as to make it danger- 
ous to concentrate our whole force there ; for, if their gunboats 
should pass the fort and command the river, our troops would be 
in danger of being cut off by a force from the Tennessee. In this 



68 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

event, their road would be open to Nashville, without any obstruc- 
tion Avhatever. The position at Cumberland City is better ; for 
there the railroad diverges from the river, which would afford some 
little facility for transportation in case of necessity ; and from 
thence the open country southward towards Nashville is easily 
reached. Besides, from that point we threaten the flank of any 
force sent from the Tennessee against the fort. I am making 
every possible effort to concentrate the forces here at Cumber- 
land City. I have been in the greatest dread ever since I 
reached this place at their scattered condition. The force is inade- 
quate to defend a line of forty miles in length, which can be attacked 
from three different directions. We can only be formidable by con- 
centration. A strong guard is all that can be left here, and this no 
longer than your movement can be made. I shall begin to-day, if 
the engineers report favorably, to blockade the river at the piers of 
the railroad bridge. I have taken up an idea that a " raft," secured 
against this bridge, can render the river impassable for the gun- 
boats. If this is possible, it will be an immense relief to the move- 
ments above. I am quite sure this blockade can be made at a lower 
stage of water ; but the present stage of water renders this experi- 
ment somewhat doubtful, still I will make every exertion to effect 
the blockade, if possible. I received by telegraph your authority 
to make any disposition of the troops which in my judgment was 
best, and acknowledged it by a dispatch immediately. I am acting 
accordingly. 

I am, General, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

JOHN B. FLOYD, 

Brig-gen. C. S. A. 

Charge 2d. — " The failure of any attempt to save the army by 
evacuating the post when foiind untenable?'' 

I have been unfortunate if I have foiled to show in my report of 
the battle at Fort Donelson that the fight on the 15th of February, 
outside of our intrenchments, was nothing but an " attempt to save 
the army by evacuating the fort," which the position and numbei's 
of the enemy had already rendered untenable. In my report of the 
2Vth of February I attempted to explain why we left our intrench- 
ments on the 15th to give battle, and the object I had in view in 
doing so. I said " I had already seen the impossibility of holding 
out for any length of time with our inadequate numbers and inde- 
fensible jDosition. There was no place in our intrenchments but could 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 59 

be reached by the enemy's artillery from tlieir boats or their bat- 
teries. It was but fair to infer that whilst they kept up a sufficient 
fire upon our intrenchments, to keep our men from sleep and pre- 
vent repose, their object was merely to give time to pass a column 
above us on the river, both on the right and the left banks, and 
thus to cut off all our communications and to prevent the possi- 
bility of egress. I then saw clearly that but one course was left by 
which a rational hope could be entertained of saving the garrison 
or a part of it. That was to dislodge the enemy from his position 
on our left and thus to pass our people into the open country lying 
southward towards Nashville." 

Upon the failure of this enterprise, the causes of which are fully 
set forth in my report, it obviously became impossible to " save the 
army by evacuating the post." The " attempt " to save the army 
had been made. I thought then, and still think, that a more earn- 
est " attempt " could not be made by an equal number of men to 
accomplish any enterprise by force of arms. To extricate the army, 
then, involved the necessity of another battle that night, more des- 
perate than that of the morning, because the enemy had been greatly 
reinforced, and- held their former position with fresh troops. There 
is such a thing as human exhaustion, an end of physical ability in 
man to march and fight — however little such a contingency may 
seem possible to those who sleep quietly upon soft beds, who fare 
sumptuously every day, and have never tried the exposure of pro- 
tracted battles and hard campaigns. This point had been reached 
by our men ; the conflict, toil, and excitement of unsuspended bat- 
tle, running through eighty-four hours, was enough to wear out the 
physical strength of any men ; especially so, when the greater part 
of the time they were exposed to a storm of sleet, snow, and con- 
tinued frost, and opposed to a force five or six times greater than 
their own, without shelter or fire. Many of the men had been frost- 
bitten ; and a great many were so overcome by fatigue and want of 
sleep as to be unable to keep open their eyes, standing on their feet, 
in the face and under the fire of the enemy. 

In fact, the men were totally out of condition to fight. There 
were but two roads by which it was possible to retire. If they 
went by the upper road they would certainly have a strong position 
of the enemy to cut thi'ough, besides having to march over the bat- 
tle-field strewn with corpses ; and if they retired by the lower road, 
they would have to wade through water three feet deep, which lat- 
ter ordeal the medical director stated would be death to more than 
half of the command, on account of the severity of the weather 



60 OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF BATTLES. 

and their physical prostration. It was believed in council that the 
army could not retire without sacrificing three-fourths of it. The 
consultation which took place among the officers on the night of 
the 15th was to ascertain whether a further struggle could be main- 
tained, and it was resolved in the negative unconditionally and em- 
phatically. Gen. Buckner, whose immediate command was the 
largest in the fort, was positive and unequivocal in his opinion that 
the fight could not be renewed. I confess that I was myself strongly 
influenced by this opinion of Gen. Buckner ; for I have not yet seen 
an ofiicer in whose superior military ability, clear discriminating 
judgment, in whose calm unflinching courage and unselfish patriot- 
ism! more fully confide than in his. The loss to the Confederacy 
of so able, brave, and accomplished a soldier is irreparable. 

From my own knowledge of the condition of the men, I thought 
that but few of them were in condition to encounter a night conflict. 
So the plan of renewing the battle was abandoned ; and thus the 
necessity of sun-ender was presented. All agreed that the necessity 
existed. That conclusion having been reached, nothing remained 
but to consider the manner of it ; and that is fully set forth in my 
former report. 

The third charge is, " why they abandoned the command to their 
inferior officer, instead of executing themselves whatever measure 
was deemed proper for the entire army." 

The " abandonment of command " here imputed, I suppose to 
mean the act of transferring to Gen. Buckner, who was willing to 
execute it, the performance of the formalities of surrender. The 
surrender was a painful and inexorable necessity, which could not 
be avoided, and not a " measure deemed proper for the entire army." 
On the contrary, my proposition to take away as large a portion of 
the forces as possible met, I am sure, with the approbation of the 
whole council. One of the reasons which induced me to make this 
transfer to Gen. Buckner was in order that I might be untrammelled 
in the effort I was determined to make to extricate as many of the 
command as possible from the fort, to which object I devoted my- 
self during the night of the 15th. So that I accomplished the fact 
of bringing off troops from the position, I thought little of the man- 
ner of doing so. All possibility of further fighting was over. Not 
another gun was to be fired ; no j^ersonal risk was to be incurred ; 
certain and absolute freedom from all personal danger was secured 
to those who surrendered. Further danger, conflict, and toil could 
befall those only who should attempt to escape and those I chose to 
lead. 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 61 

Nothing was to be done by those who remained but to hoist the 
white flag and surrender. This I would not do, for the " measure " 
of surrender had not been thought of by myself or any officer 
present in the council as one proper for the " entire army." I sup- 
posed it to be an unquestionable principle of military action, that in 
case of disaster it is better to save a part of a command than to lose 
the whole. The alternative proposition which I adopted in prefer- 
ence to surrendering the " entire army," was to make my way out 
of the beleaguei-ed camp with such men as were still able to make 
another struggle, if it could be accomplished ; and if it could not 
be, then to take any consequences that did not involve a surrender. 

The fifth charge is, " upon what principle a selection was made of 
particular troops, being certain regiments of the senior general's 
brigade, to whose use all the transportation on hand was ai^pro- 
priated." 

The answer to this charge leads directly to that of the fourth, 
and I therefore respond first to this. I presume it is well establish- 
ed that a senior general can select any troops under command for 
any service or purpose or plan he may choose to execute ; and if 
the means were ofiered of extricating only a portion of men from 
a general surrender, I presume the selection of this portion would 
rest with him rather than with any other person or persons. This 
would be a sufiicient answer to the charge in question, if I chose 
to rely upon it, which I do not. My real answer I will give fully. 
It is untrue that " all the transportation on hand was appropriated 
to certain regiments of the senior general's brigade." It is untrue 
that a selection was made of " particular troops." I am sure that 
quite as many men belonging to other brigades were provided with 
" means of escape," " by the transportation on hand," as were of 
the senior general's brigade. 

Late at night it was ascertained that two steamboats would prob- 
ably reach the landing before daylight. Then I determined to let 
Col. Forrest's cavalry proceed on their march by the river road, 
which was impassable for any thing but cavalry, on account of the 
backwater and overflow, whilst I would remain behind and en- 
deavor to get away as many men as possible by the boats. The 
boats came a short time before daylight, when I hastened to the 
river and began to ferry the men over to the opposite shore as 
rapidly as possible. 

The men were taken on indiscriminately as they came to the 
boats ; but in the first instance more of the " senior general's 
brigade" were present than of other troops, from this circum- 



62 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Stance, namely : Tbat when I determined not to surrender, I caused 
my brigade to be drawn up in line and to await my final prepara- 
tion for a forward movement. This was promptly done, and as they 
were nearest the left flank, where the fight would first begin, so 
likewise were they nearest to the river landing. From this cir- 
cumstance, it happened that the troops from ray immediate com- 
mand were among the first to enter the boats ; but all the men 
from all jjortions of the army, who were present and could be 
gotten on board, were taken indiscriminately as far as I had any 
knowledge. No man of the army was excluded to make room for 
my brigade. On the contrary, all who came were taken on board, 
until some time after daylight, when I received a message from 
Gen. Buckner that any further delay at the wharf would certainly 
cause the loss of the boat with all on board. Such was the want 
of all order and discipline by this time on shore, that a wild rush 
was made at the boat, which the captain said would swamp her 
unless he pushed off immediately.* This was done, and about sun- 
rise the boat on which I was (the other having gone) left the shore 
and steered up the river. By this " precise mode " I effected my 
" escape," and after leaving the wharf, the Department will be 
pleased to hear, that I encountered no dangers whatever from the 
enemy. 

I had announced in council my determination to take my own 
brigade and attempt a retreat ; and this, I presume, is what is re- 
ferred to in the charge of " selecting certain regiments of the 
senior general's brigade." I " selected " this command, because 
they had been with me in the most trying service for seven months, 
had been repeatedly under fire, had been exposed to every hardship 
incident to a campaign, had never on any occasion flinched or 
faltered, had never uttered a complaint ; and I knew were to be re- 
lied on for any enterprise that could be accomplished. In announ- 
cing this intention, it was far from my purpose to exclude any trbops 
who might think proper, or might be physically able, to join me in 
making the movement. 

The sixth charge is, " a particular designation of the regiments 
saved, and the regiments abandoned, M'hich formed part of the 
senior general's brigade." 

My brigade consisted of the 36th regiment Virginia Volunteers, 
the 50th regiment Virginia Volunteers, the 51st regiment Virginia 
Volunteers, the 56th i-egiment Virginia Volunteers, and the 20th 
regiment Mississippi Volunteers. No one of these regiments was 
either wholly saved or wholly left.. I could obtain no reports from 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 63 

regiments until I arrived at Murfreesboro'. There our morning 
reports show tlie aggregate of each regiment present, respectively, 
to have been of the 36th regiment Virginia Volunteers, 243 ; 50ih 
regiment Virginia Volunteers, 285 ; 51st regiment Virginia Volun- 
teers, 274; 56th regiment Virginia Volunteers, 184: the 20th regi- 
ment Mississippi Volunteers handed in no report at Murfreesboro', 
and what there was of it was ordered away by Gen. Jolinston ; but 
I am informed that their morning report will show over three hun- 
dred (300) as present. These reports were made before those who 
had been ferried over the river at Donelson had come up. 

A considerable number of men from each of these regiments were 
" saved," and many of each were left behind. Of my own brigade, 
a great many who were left effected their escape by every means 
they could command, and joined their regiments and companies, 
except the 20th regiment Mississippi Volunteers, which, by Gen. 
Johnston's order, were detached and sent home to recruit. This 
regiment, at the last accounts I bad of it, immediately after the 
fight of Fort Donelson, numbered, as already stated, about three 
hundi-ed (300) men ; but I have no accurate information on the 
subject. The loss I felt most seriously, was that of my three artillery 
companies of Virginia troops, so remarkable for their efficiency and 
real gallantry, who had followed me so faithfully throughout my 
service in Virginia, and who fought so bravely during the whole of 
the trying conflict at Donelson. 

I am, very respectfully. 

Your obedient seiwant, 

[Copy.] JOHN B. FLOYD, Brig.-gen. C. S. A, 

Peter Otet, A. A. General. 



Report of Brig.-gen. Pillow. 

Columbia, Teistnessbe, February 18, 1862 
Capt. Claeen^ce Derrick, 

Assistant Adjutant-general. 
On the 9th instant, Gen. A. S. Johnston ordered me to proceed 
to Fort Donelson and take command of that post. On the 10th 
instant I arrived at that place. In detailing the operations of the 
forces under my command at Fort Donelson, it is proper to state 
the condition of that work, and of the forces constituting the 
garrison. 



64 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

When I arrived, I found the work on the river battery unfinished, 
and wholly too weak to resist the force of heavy artillery. I found 
a 10-inch columbiad, and a 32-230und rifled gun, which had not 
been mounted. Deep gloom was hanging over the command, and 
the troops were greatly depressed and demoralized by the circum- 
stances attending the surrender of Fort Henry, and the manner of 
retiring from that place. My first attention was given to the ne- 
cessity of strengthening this work, and mounting the two heavy 
guns, and the construction of defensive works to protect the rear 
of the river battery. 

I imparted to the work all the energy which it was possible to 
do, working day and night with the whole command. The battery 
was without a competent number of artillerists, and those who 
were there were not well instructed in the use of their guns. To 
provide for this want, I placed the artillery companies under active 
course of instruction in the use of their guns. I detailed Capt. 
Ross, with his company of light artillery, to the command of one of 
the river batteries. These heavy guns being mounted and provision 
made for working them, and a proper supply of ammunition having 
been procured by my orders from Nashville, I felt myself prepared 
to test the effect of the fire of heavy metal against the enemy's gun- 
boats, though the work stood much in need of more heavy pieces. 

The armament of the batteries consisted of eight 32-pounders, 
three 32-pound carronades, one 8-inch columbiad, and one rifle gun 
of 32 pounds calibre. 

The selection for the site for the work was an unfortunate one. 
While its command of the river was favorable, the site was com- 
manded by the heights above and below the river, and by a con- 
tinued range of hills all around the works in its rear. A field work 
of very contracted dimensions had been constructed for the garri- 
son to protect the battery, but the field works were commanded by 
the hills already referred to, and lay open to a fire of artillery from 
every direction except from the hills below. To guard against the 
eflfect of fire of artillery from these heights, a line of defensive 
works, consisting of rifle-pits, and abatis for infantry, detached on 
our right but continuous on our left, with defences for light artil- 
lery, were laid ofi"by Col. Gilmer, engineer of Gen. A. S. Johnston's 
staff, but on duty with me at the post, around the rear of the bat- 
tery, and on the heights from which artillery could reach our 
battery and inner field work, enveloping the inner field work and 
the town of Dover, where our supplies of commissary and quarter 
master stores were in depot. 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 65 

These works, pushed with the ixtmost possible energy, were not 
quite complete, nor were my troops all in position, though nearly 
so, when Brig.-gen. Floyd, my senior officer, reached that station. 
The works were laid off with great judgment and skill by Major 
Gilmer, wei"e well executed, and designed for the defence of the 
rear work — the only objection being to the length of the line, 
which, however, was unavoidable from the surroundings. The 
length of the line and the inadequacy of the force for its defence, 
was a source of embarrassment throughcg.it the struggle which sub- 
sequently ensued in defence of the position. 

I had placed Brig.-gen. Buckner in command of the right wing, 
and Gen. B. R. Johnson on the left. By extraordinary efforts we 
had barely got these works in defensible condition, when the enemy 
made an advance in force around and against the entire line of 
outer works. 

THE BATTLE OF THE TRENCHES. 

The assault was commenced by the enemy's artilleiy against the 
centre of our left wing, which was promptly responded to by Capt. 
Green's battery of field artillery. After several hours of firing be- 
tween the artillery of the two armies, the enemy's infantry ad- 
vanced to the conflict, all along the line, which was kept up and 
increased in violence from one end of the line to the other, for 
several hours, when, at last, the enemy made a vigorous assault 
against the right of our left wing — the position assaulted being de- 
fended by Col. Heiman's (being a height) brigade, consisted of the 
10th Tennessee, under command of Lieut.-col. McGavock, Col. 
Voorhies', Col. Hughes', and Col. Head's regiments Tennessee Vol- 
unteers, and defended by Capt. Maney's field battery. 

The assault was vigorously made, and the position vigorously de- 
fended, and resulted in the repulse of the enemy here and every- 
where around the line. The result of the day's work pretty well 
tested the strength of our defensive line, and established, beyond 
question, the gallantry of the entire cgmmaud, all of which fought 
gallantly their poilion of the line. 

The loss sustained by our forces in this engagement was not 
large, our men being mostly under shelter in the rifle-pits, but we, 
nevertheless, had quite a number of killed and wounded, but owing 
to the continued fighting that followed, it was impossible to get any 
official account of the casualties of the day. 

On the same day our battery on the river was engaged with one 
of the enemy's gunboats, which occasioned quite a lively cannon- 

5 



66 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF EATTLES. 

ading for more than an hour, in which the gallant Capt. Dixon, of 
the engineer corps, was killed instantly at the battery. This officer 
had been on duty for some time (mojit/is) at the post, and had 
shown great energy and professional skill, and, by his gallant bear- 
ing on that day, while directing the operations of the day under my 
orders, had justly earned for himself high distinction. His death 
was a serious loss to the service, and was a source of no little em- 
barrassment to our operations. 

On the 12th we had quiet, but we saw the smoke of a large num- 
ber of gunboats and steamboats a short distance below ; we also 
received reliable information of the arrival of a large number of 
new troops, greatly increasing the strength of the enemy's forces, 
already said to be from 20,000 to 30,000 strong. 

BATTLE wrrn the gunboats. 

On the 13th, these reinforcements were seen advancing in their 
position, in the line of investment, and while this was being done, 
six of the enemy's iron-cased gunboats were seen advancing up the 
river, five of which were abreast in line of battle, the sixth some 
distance in the rear. When these gunboats arrived within a mile 
and a half of our battery, they opened fire on the battery. My 
orders to the officers, Capt. Shuster and Capt. Standevvitz, who 
commanded the lower battery of light guns, and Capt. Ross, who 
commanded the lower battery of four guns, were to hold their fire 
until the enemy's gunboats came within point-blank range of their 
guns. This they did, though the ordeal of holding their fire, while 
the enemy's shot and shell fell thick around their position, was a 
severe restraint to their patriotic impulses ; but, nevertheless, our 
batteries made no response until the enemy's gunboats got within 
range of their guns. Our entire line of batteries then opened fire. 
The guns of both were well served. The enemy constantly advan- 
cing, delivering direct fire against our batteries from his line of five 
gunboats, while the sixth boat, moving up in rear of the line, kept 
the air filled with shells, which fell thick and close around the posi- 
tion of our batteries. The fight continued, the enemy steadily 
advancing slowly up the river, the shot and shell from 15 heavy rifled 
■guns tearing our parapets and plunging deep in the earth around 
and over our batteries for nearly two hours, and until his boats 
had reached within the distance of 150 yards of our batteries. 

Having come in such close conflict, I could see distinctly the 
eflect of our shot upon his iron-cased boats. We had given one or 
two well-directed shots from the heavy guns to one of his boats, 



OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF BATTLFS. 67 

vnxen he instantly shrunk back, and drifted helpless below the line. 
Several shots struck another boat, tearing her iron case, splintering 
her timbers, and making them crack as if by a stroke of lightning, 
when she, too, fell back. 

Then a third received several severe shocks, making her metal 
ring and her timbers crack, when the whole line gave way, ;iad fell 
rapidly back from our fire until they passed out of range. Thus 
ended the first severe and close conflict of our guns — our heavy 
guns — with the enemy's gunboats, testing their strength, and the 
power of our heavy guns to resist them. 

The shot from our 32-pounder guns produced but little effect ; 
they struck and rebounded, apparently doing little damage. But 
I am satisfied, by close observation, that the timbers of the frame- 
work did not and could not withstand the shock of the 10-inch 
colurabiad or 32-pounder rifled guns. These gunboats never re- 
newed the attack. 

I learned from citizens living on the river below, that one of the 
injured gunboats sunk, and that others had to be towed to Cairo. 
This information may, or may not, be true, but it is certain that all 
of the boats were repulsed and driven back, after a most vigorous 
and determined attack, and that two of the boats were badly dam- 
aged, and a third more or less injured. 

It is difficult.to over-estimate the gallant bearing and heroic con- 
duct of the oflicers and men of our batteries, who so well and so 
persistently fought the guns, until the enemy's determined advance 
brought gunboats and guns into such close and desperate conflict. 

Where all did their duty so well, it is impossible to discriminate. 
The captains already named, and their lieutenants (whose names, 
for want of official reports, I cannot give), all deserve the highest 
commendation. 

Lieut. George S. Martin, whose company is at Columbus, Ky., 
but who was ordered to that post by Majoi'-gen. Polk, commanded 
one of the guns, and particularly attracted my attention by his 
energy, and the judgment with which he fought his gun. 

The wadding of his gun having given out, he pulled ofi" his coat 
and rammed it down his gun as wadding, and thus kept up the fire 
until the enemy were finally repulsed. 

On the evening of this day, we received information of thean-ival 
of additional reinforcements of infantry, <;avalry, and light artil- 
lery, by steamboat, all of which were disembarked a short distance 
below our position. 



68 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

BATTLE OF DOVER. 

On the 14th instant, the enemy were busy throwing his forces 
of every arm around us, extending his line of investment entirely 
around our position, and completely enveloping us. On the even- 
in<y of this day, we ascertained that the enemy had received addi- 
tional reinforcements. We were now surrounded by an immense 
force, said, by prisoners whom we had taken, to amount to 52 regi- 
ments, and every road and means of possible departure cut off, with 
the certainty that our sources of supply, by river, would soon be 
cut off by the enemy's batteries, placed upon the river above us. 

At a meeting of general officers, called by Gen. Floyd, it was de- 
termined unanimously to give the enemy battle next day, at day- 
light, so as to cut open a route of exit for the troops to the interior 
of the country, and thus save our army. We had knowledge that 
the principal portion of the enemy's forces were massed in encam]> 
ments in front of the extreme left of our position, commanding the 
two roads leading to the interior, one of which we must take in 
retiring from our position. We knew he had massed in encamp- 
ment another large force on the Wynn's feriy road, opposite the 
centre of onr left wing, while still another was massed nearly in 
front of the right of our left wing. His fresh arrivals of troops being 
encamped on the banks of the river two and a half miles below us, 
from which latter encampment a stream of fresh troops were con- 
stantly pouring around us, on his line of investment, and strengthen- 
ing his several encampments on the extreme right. In each of his 
encampments, and in each road, he had in position a battery of field 
artillery and 24-pounder iron guns on siege can-iages. 

Between these encampments on the road was a thick undergrowth 
of bush and black jack, making it impossible to advance or manoeuvre 
any considerable Ibody of troops. The plan of attack agreed upon, 
and directed by Gen. Floyd to be executed, was, that with the main 
body of the forces defending our left wing I should attack the 
right wing of the enemy, occupying and resting on the heights 
reaching to the banks of the river, accompanied by Col. Forrest's 
brigade of cavalry. 

That Gen. Buckner, with the forces vmder his command, and de- 
fending the right of our line, should strike the enemy's encampments 
and forces on the Wynn's ferry road. That the forces under Col. 
Heiman should hold his position, and that each command should 
leave in the trenches troops to hold the trenches. By this order 
of battle, it was easy to be seen, that if my attack was successful, 
and the enemy was routed, his retreat would be along his line of 



OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 69 

investments, towards the Wynn's ferry encampment, and thence 
towards liis reserve at the gunboats below. 

In other words, my success w^oukl roll the enemy's force in full 
retreat over upon Gen. Buckner, when, by his attack in flank and 
rear, we could cut lip the enemy and put him completely to rout. 

Accordingly, dispositions were made to attack the enemy. At 
5 o'clock on the morning of the loth, I moved out of my position, 
to engage the enemy. In less than half an hour, our forces were 
engaged. The enemy was prepared to receive me in advance of 
his encampment, and he did receive me before I had assumed a 
line of battle, and while I was moving against them, without any 
formation for the engagement. For the first half hour of the en- 
gagement, I was much embarrassed in getting the command in a 
position properly to engage the enemy. Having extricated myself 
from the position and fairly engaged the enemy, we fought him for 
nearly two hours before I made any decided advance upon him. 
The loss of both armies on this portion of the field was heavy. 
The enemy's particularly so, as far as I discovered by riding over 
the field after the battle. The enemy having been forced to yield 
this portion of the field, retired to the Wynn's fei'ry road, Bnckner's 
point of attack. He did not retreat, but fell back, fighting us and 
contesting every inch of ground. 

The fight was hotly contested, and stubborn on both sides, and 
consumed the day till 12 o'clock, to drive the enemy as far back as 
the centre, where Gen. Bnckner's command was to flank him. While 
ray command was slowly advancing and driving back the enemy, 
I was expecting to hear Gen. Bnckner's command ojDen fire in his 
rear. I was apprehensive of some misapprehension of orders, and 
came from the field of battle within the work to ascertain what was 
the matter. I there found the command of Gen. Buckner massed 
behind the ridge within the work, taking shelter from the enemy's 
artillery on the Wynn's ferry road, it having been forced to retire 
before the battery, as I learned from him. My force was still slowly 
advancing, driving the enemy forward towards the battery. I di- 
rected Gen. Buckner immediately to move his command round the 
rear of the battery, turning its left, keeping in the hollow, and 
attack and carry it. Before the movement was executed, my forces 
forming the attacking party on the right, with Col. Forrest's regi- 
ment of cavalry, gallantly charged a large body of infantry, sup- 
porting the battery, driving it, and forcing the battery to retire, 
taking six jjieces of artillery, four brass pieces, and two 24-pounder 
iron pieces. 



To OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

Ill pursuing the euemy, falling back from this position, Gen, 
Buckner's forces became united with mine, and engaged the enemy 
in a hot contest of nearly an hour, with fresh troops that had now 
met us. This position of the enemy being carried by our forces, I 
called off the further pursuit, after seven and a half hours of con- 
tinuous and bloody conflict. After the troops were called off fvoin 
the pursuit, orders were immediately given to the different com- 
mands to form and retire to the original position in the intrench- 
ments. The operations of the day had forced the enemy around to 
our right and in front of Gen. Buckner's position in the intrench- 
ments, and when he reached his position, he found the enemy 
^•apidly advancing to take possession of his portion of our works. 
He had a stubborn conflict, lasting one hour and a half, to regain 
his position, and the enemy actually got possession of the extreme 
right of his works, and held them so firmly, that he could not dis- 
lodge them. The position thus gained by the enemy was a most 
important and commanding one, being immediately in front of our 
river batteries and our field work for its protection. 

From it, he could readily turn the intrenched Avork occupied by 
Gen. Buckner, and attack in reverse, or he could advance under 
cover of an intervening ridge directly upon oui* battery and field 
work. While the enemy held this position, it was manifest we 
could not hold the main work or battery. 

Such was the condition of the two armies at nightfall, after nine 
hours of conflict on the 15th inst., in which our loss was severe^ 
leaving not less than 1000 of the enemy dead on the field. We 
left upon the field all his wounded, because we could not remove 
them. Such carnage and conflict never perhaps has before occurred 
on this continent. We took about 300 prisoners, and a large quan- 
tity of arms. 

We had fought the battle to open our way for our army and ta 
relieve us from an investment which would necessarily reduce us 
and the position we occupied by famine. We had accomplished our 
object, but it occupied the whole day, and before we could prepare 
to leave, after taking in the wounded and the dead, the enemy had 
thrown around us again, in the night, an immense force of fresh 
troops, and reoccupied his original position in the line of investment,, 
thus again cutting off our retreat. We had only about 13,000 troops, 
all told. Of these we had lost a large proportion in the three 
battles. The command had been in tlie trenches night and day for 
five days, exposed to snow, sleet, mud, and ice and water, witbouti 
shelter, without adequate covering, and without sleep. 



OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 71 

In this condition the general officers held a consultation to deter- 
mine what we should do. Gen. Buckner gave it as his decided 
opinion, that he could not hold his position half an hour against an 
assault of the enemy, and said he was satisfied the enemy would 
attack him at daylight the next morning. The proposition was then 
made by the undersigned again to fight our way through the ene- 
my's line, and cut our way out. Gen. Buckner said his command 
was so worn out, and cut to pieces, and so demoralized, that he could 
not make another fight ; that it would cost three-fourths its present 
numbers to cut its way out ; that it was wrong to sacrifice three- 
fourths to save one-fourth ; that no officer had a right to cause such 
a sacrifice. Gen. Floyd and Major Gilmer I understood to concur 
in this opinion. I then expressed the opinion that we could hold 
out another day, and in that time we could get steamboats, and set 
the command over the river, and probably save a portion of it. To 
this Gen, Buckner rei^lied that the enemy would certainly attack 
him in the morning, and that he could not hold his position half an 
hour. The alternative of these propositions was surrender of the 
position and command. Gen. Floyd said he would not surrender 
the command, nor would he surrender himself prisoner. I had 
taken the same position. Gen. Buckner said he was satisfied nothing 
else could be done, and that, therefore, he would surrender the com- 
mand if placed in command. Gen. Floyd said he would turn over 
the command to me, I passing it to Gen. Buckner, if Gen. Floyd 
would be permitted to withdraw his command. To this Gen. Buck- 
ner conseftted. Therefore the command was turned over to me, I 
passing it instantly to Gen. Buckner, saying I would neither surren- 
der the command or myself I directed Col, Forrest to cut his way 
out. Under these circumstances Gen. Buckner accepted the com- 
mand, and sent a flag of truce to the enemy for an armistice of six 
hours, to negotiate for terms of capitulation. Before this flag and 
communication was delivered, I retired from the garrison. Before 
closing my report of the operations of the army at Donelson, I 
must, in justice to the officers and commands under my immediate 
command say, that harder fighting or more gallant bearing in officers 
and men I have never witnessed. In the absence of official reports 
of brigade and regimental commanders, of which I am deprived by 
the circumstances detailed in this report, I may not be able to do 
justice to the difierent corps. I will say, however, that the forces 
under my immediate command, during this action, bore themselves 
with gallantry throughout the long and bloody conflict. I speak 
with especial commendation of the brigades commanded by Cols. 



72 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Baldwin and Wharton, McCausland, Simouton, and Drake, and of 
Capts. Maney and Green, who fought their guns under the constant 
and annoying fire of the enemy's sharpshooters, and of the con- 
centrated fire of his field batteries, from which both commands suf- 
fered severely. Capt. Maney was himself wounded, so were Capts. 
Porter and Graves. If I should hereafter receive the reports of 
regimental and brigade commanders, giving me detailed information 
of the conduct and bearing of ofiicers and men, I will make a sup- 
plemental report. The absence of official reports deprives me of 
the means of giving lists of the killed and wounded of the different 
commands. I an4 satisfied that in such a series of conflicts our loss 
Avas heavy. I know the enemy's was, from passing over the field of 
battle, in the morning immediately after the battle, in company with 
Gen. Floyd. His loss in killed was terrible, exceeding any thing I 
had ever seen on a battle-field. Our total force in the field did not 
exceed 10,000 men, while from what I saw of the enemy's, and from 
information derived from prisoners of theirs, we are sure he had be- 
tween thirty and forty thousand men in the field. 

I must acknowledge many obligations to Major Gilmer, engineer, 
for especial and valuable services rendered me in the laying off the 
works, and the energy displayed by him in directing their construc- 
tion, and for his counsel and advice. I likewise acknowledge my 
obligations to Capt. Gus. A. Henry, Jr., my A. A. general, and Col. 
John C. Burch, my aid-de-camp ; to Major Field, to Lieut. Nichol- 
son, to Lieut. Charles F. Masten, and Col. Brandon, my volunteer 
aid-de-camp ; to Major Hays, my assistant commissaiy, Hud Major 
Jones, my assistant quarter-master, for the prompt manner in which 
they executed my orders under trying circumstances, throughout 
the long and continued conflicts, and to Major Gilmer, who accom- 
panied me to the field, and was on duty with me during the entire 
day. Also, to Capt. Parker, of my staff, whom I assigned to the 
command of Capt. Ross's field battery, with new recruits as gunners; 
and he fought and served them well. The conduct of these ofiicers, 
coming under my immediate observation, met my hearty apj^roval 
and commendation. Col. Brandon was severely wounded early in 
the action. Col. Baldwin's brigade constituted the front of the at- 
tacking force, sustained immediately by Col, Wharton's brigade. 

These two brigades deserve esjiecial commendation for the man- 
ner in which they sustained the first sliock of the battle. I must 
also acknowledge my obligations to Brig.-gen. B. R. Johnson, who 
assisted me in the command of the forces with which I attacked the 
enemy, and wiio.bore himself gaUautly throughout the conflict ; but 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 73 

having received no official reports from him, I cannot give the de- 
tailed operations of his command. I have pleasure in being able to 
say that Col. Forrest, whose command greatly distinguished its 
commander, as a bold and judicious officer, and reflected distin- 
guished honor upon itself, passed safely through the enemy's line of 
investments, and trust it will yet win other honors in the defence of 
our rights and just cause of our country. 

(Official,) GIDEON J. PILLOW, Bng.-cjen. G. S. A. 

John "Withers, A. A. General. 

A. & L G. O., Sept. 17, 1862. 

This report was handed to me at Bristol, East Tennessee, by Col. 
Dobbins, of Mississippi, who was on his way to Richmond, but was 
detained. I promised Col. Dobbins to deliver it to the adjutant- 
general at Richmond, but when the matter was mentioned to Hon. 
J. P. Benjamin, he told me to leave it in the War Office, and to 
make the above statement. Col. Dobbins handed me the paper on 
the 28th of February, 1862, and said it had been given to him by 
Gen. Pillow. E. W. MUNFORD. 



Supplemental Report of General Pillow. 

Head-quarters, Third Division", 

Decatur, Ala,, March 14, 1862. 
CoL. W. W. Mackall, a. a. General. 

The position we occupied was invested, on the 11th of February, 
by a force which we estimated at about 20,000 strong. This force 
had approached us partly by water, but mainly by land from Fort 
Henry. I considered the force we had sufficient to repulse the as- 
sault of this force. We repulsed everywhere a vigorous assault 
made by our enemies against our position. Fresh troops continued 
to come every day by water until the 14th. We are satisfied the 
enemy's forces are not short of 30,000 men. Our impressions of 
his strength were confirmed by prisoners we had taken on that day. 

This evening the enemy landed 13 steamboat loads of fresh troops. 
It was now manifest that we could not long maintain our position 
against such overwhelming numbers. I Avas satisfied the last troops 
were of Gen, Buell's command. We felt the want of reinforce- 
ments, but Ave did not ask for them, because we knew they were 



74r OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES 

not to be had. I had just come from Bowling Green, and heard . 
that Gen. Johnston could not spare a man from his position. He 
had, in fact, already so weakened himself, that he could not main- 
tain his position against a vigorous assault. Under these circum- 
stances, deeming it utterly useless to apply for reinforcements, we 
determined to make the best possible defence Ave could with the 
force in hand. Our investment by a force of 30,000 men on the 
14th being completed, and the enemy on that evening having re- 
ceived 13 boat-loads of fresh troops, a council of general officers 
■was convened by Gen. Floyd, at which it was determined to give 
battle at daylight the next day, so as to cut off the investing force, 
if possible, before the fresh troops were in position. In that council 
I proposed as a plan of attack, that with the force in the intrench- 
ments of our left wing, and Col. Hanson's regiment, of Gen. Buck- 
ner's division, I should attack the enemy's main force, on his right, 
and, if successful, that would roll the enemy on his line of invest- 
ments to a point opposite Gen. Buckner's position, where he would 
attack him in flank and rear, and drive him, with our united com- 
mands, back upon his encampments at the river. To this proposi- 
tion, so far from allowing me to leave Col. Hanson's regiment. Gen. 
Buckner objected. I waived the point, saying I only asked the as- 
sistance of that regjment, because my portion of the labor was, by 
far, the greatest to be performed, and that upon my success de- 
pended the fortunes of the day, and that a very large portion of the 
troops I had to fight were fresh troops and badly armed. 

Gen. Buckner then proposed as a modification of my plan of 
battle, that he should attack the enemy simultaneously with me, 
that his attack should be against the position of the Wynn's ferry 
road, where he had a battery nearly opposite the middle of the left 
wing, and that he would thus lessen the labors of my command, and 
strike the enemy in a material point. To this modification I agreed, 
as an improvement upon my proposed plan. In carrying out this 
plan, thus agreed upon, it became proper for Col. Heiman's brigade 
to maintain its position in the line, otherwise the enemy might turn 
the right of Gen. Buckner's position, take his forces on the right 
flank, and thus defeat our success. It was arranged accordingly. 
Gen. Floyd approved this plan of battle, and ordered that it should 
be carried out next morning by daylight. I then sent for all the 
commanders of brigades, to explain to them our situation (being 
invested), our purpose, our plan of battle, and to assign to each 
brigade its position in my column, all of which was done, and I 
gave orders to have my whole force under arms, at four and a half 



OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF BATTLES. f5 

©'clock, and to be ready to march out of our works precisely at 
five o'clock. 

At four o'clock I was with my command, all of which were in 
position, except Col. Davison's brigade, none of which were present. 
I immediately directed Gen. B. K. Johnson, who was present, and 
to whose immediate command Col. Davison's brigade belonged, to 
dispatch officers for that brigade, and to- ascertain the causes of de- 
lay. He did so. I likewise sent several officers of my staff on the 
same duty. Both sets of officers made the same report, viz : Col. 
Davison had failed to give any orders to the colonels of his com- 
mand, and that Col. D. was sick. It is proper to state he was com- 
plaining of being sick when the orders were received. The in- 
structions to the brigade commanders were given about two o'clock 
that morning. My command was delayed in its advance about 
half an hour by the necessity of bringing up the brigade. 

My column was finally ready and put in motion about 15 minutes 
after 5 o'clock. I moved with the advance, and directed Gen. B. 
R, Johnson to bring up the rear. The command of Col. Davison's 
brigade devolved upon Col. Simonton, which, owing to the reasons 
already stated, was brought into column in the rear, and into action 
last, under Gen. Johnson, to whose report, for its good behaviour 
on the field, I particularly refer, having, in .my original report, 
omitted to state its position on the field. Many of these incidents, 
not deemed essential to the proper understanding of the main fea- 
tures of the battle of the 12th of February, were omitted in my 
original report, but are now given as parts of its history. In my 
oiiginal report, I gave the after operations in the battle of the loth 
February, and shall now pass over all the events occurring until 
the council of general officers, held on^he night of the loth. The 
lodgment of the enemy's force, in the rifle-pits of Gen. Buckner's 
extreme right, late on the evening of the loth February, induced 
Gen. Floyd to call a meeting of general officers at head-quarters 
' that night. 

We had fought the battle of the loth to open the way through 
the enemy's line of investments, to retire to the interior. The 
battle had occupied the day. We were until 12 o'clock that night 
burying the dead. At about 1 o'clock, Ave had all the commanders 
of regiments and brigades assembled and given orders to the entire 
command, to be imder arms at 4 o'clock to march out on the road 
leading towards ChaHotte. I had given instruction to Major Hays, 
my commissary, and Major Jones, my quarter-master, immediately 
after our evacuation of the place, to burn all the stores. About 3 



76 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

O'clock (perhaps a little earlier) we received intelligence from the 
troops in the trenches, that they heard dogs barking around on 
the outside of our lines, and the enemy, they thought, were rein- 
vesting our position. General Floyd immediately directed me to 
send out scouts to ascertain the fact. This duty was performed. 
When the scouts returned, they reported the enemy in large force 
occupying his original position, and closing up the routes to the 
interior. Not being satisfied with the truth of the report, I di- 
rected Col. Forrest to send out a second set of seouts, and at the 
same time directed him to send two inteUigent men up the bank of 
the river, to examine a valley of overflown ground, lying to the rear 
and right of the enemy's position, and if the valley of overflown 
ground could be crossed by infantry and cavalry, and to ascertain 
if the enemy's forces reached the river bank. The one set of scouts 
returned and confirmed the previous reports, viz. : That the woods 
were full of the enemy, occupying his former position in great num- 
bers. The scouts sent up the river to examine the overflow, re- 
ported that the overflown valley was not practicable for infantry, 
that the soft mud was about half leg deep, that the water was 
about saddle skirts deep to the horses, and that there was a good 
deal of drift in the way. We then sent for a citizen, whose name 
is not remembered, said to know that part of the country well, and 
asked his opinion. He confirmed the reports of the river scouts. 

In addition to the depth of the water, the weather was intensely 
cold, many of the troops were frost-bitten, and they could not stand 
a passage through a sheet of water. With these facts before us, 
Generals Floyd, Buckner, and myself, the two former having re- 
mained at my quarters all the intervening time, held a consultation, 
when Gen. Floyd said : " W^ll, gentlemen, what is now best to be 
done?" Neither Gen. Buckner nor myself having answered 
promptly, Gen. Floyd repeated his inquiry, addressing himself to 
me by name. My reply was, it was difficult to determine what was 
best to be done, but that I was in favor of cutting our way out. 
He then asked Gen. Buckner what he thought we ought to do. 
Gen. Buckner said his command was so broken down, so cut up, 
and so demoralized, he could not make another fight, that he 
thought we would lose three-fourths of the command we had al- 
ready left if we attempted to cut our way out, and that it was 
wrono;. No officer had a right to sacrifice three-fourths of a com- 
mand to save the other fourth. That we had fouglit the enemy 
from the trenches, we had fought him from his gunboats, and 
fought our way through his line of investments, that we were again 



OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 77 

invested with a force of fresh troops, that the army had done all 
duty and honor required it to do, and more was not possible. 

Gen. Floyd then remarked that his opinions coincided with Gen. 
Buckner, Brig.-gen. B. R. Johnson had previously retired from 
the council to his quarters in the field, and was not present. In my 
original report, I stated it was my impression Major Gilmer was 
consulted, and concurred in the opinions of Gens. Buckner and 
Floyd ; but from subsequent conversations with Major Gilmer, I 
learn from him he had retired to another room and lain down, and 
was not present at this part of the conference, and I am therefore 
satisfied that I was mistaken in the statements in regard to him. 

The proposition to cut our way out being thus disposed of, I re- 
marked that we could hold our position another day, and fight the 
enemy from our trenches ; that by night our steamboats that had 
taken off the prisoners and our own wounded men would return, 
and that during the night we could set our troops on the right 
bank of the river, and that we could make our escape by Clarks- 
ville, and thus save the army. To this proposition Gen. Buckner 
said, " Gentlemen, you know the enemy occupy the rifle-pits on my 
right, and can easily turn my position and attack me in the rear, or 
move down on the river battery. I am satisfied he will attack me 
at daylight, and I cannot hold my position half an hour." Regard- 
ing Gen. Buckner's reply as settling this proposition in the negative 
(for I had quite enough to do wdth my heavy losses of the previous 
day to defend my own jjortion of the lines, and I could give him 
no reinforcements), I then said, " Gentlemen, if we cannot cut out, 
nor fight on, there is no alternative left us but capitulation, and I 
am determined that I will never surrender the conmiand, nor sur- 
render myself prisoner ; I will die first." Gen. Floyd remarked that 
such was his determination, and that he would die before he would 
do either. Thereupon Gen. Buckner remarked that such determi- 
nations were personal, and that personal considerations should never 
influence official action. Gen. Floyd said he acknowledged it was 
personal with him, but nevertheless it was his determination. 
Whereupon Gen, Buckner said, that being satisfied nothing else 
could be done, if he was placed in command, he would surrender 
the command, and share the fate of the command. Gen. Floyd 
immediately said, " Gen. Buckner, if I place you in command, will 
you allow me to draw out ray brigade ?" Gen. Buckner promptly 
replied, " Yes, provided you do so before the enemy act upon my 
communication." Gen. Floyd remarked, " Gen. Pillow, I turn over 
the command." I replied instantly, " I pass it." Gen. Buckner said. 



78 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

" I assume it ; bring me a bugler, pen, ink, and paper." Gen. Buckner 
had received pen, ink, and paper, and sat down to the table and 
commenced writing, when I left and crossed the river, passing out- 
side the garrison before Gen. Buckner proposed his communication 
to the enemy, and went to Clarksville by land on horseback. I did 
not know what he had written until I saw the published corre- 
spondence with Gen. Grant. 

I may be asked if I was in favor of cutting my way out, why, 
when the command was turned over to me, I did not take it ? My 
reply is, that, though technically speaking, the command devolved 
on me when turned over by Gen. Floyd, it was turned over to Gen. 
Buckner in point of fact. All parties so understood it. In proof 
of this. Gen. Floyd, under his agreement with Gen. Buckner, ac- 
tually withdrew a large portion of his brigade, by setting them 
across the river in the steamer Gen. Anderson, that arrived just 
before daylight. In further proof of this, I embody in this report 
an order of Gen. Buckner to Gen. B. R. Johnson, after he had as- 
sumed command. A copy of order : 

Head-quaetees, Dovee, February 16, 1862. 

SiE : The command of the forces in this vicinity has devolved 
upon me by order of Gen. Floyd. I have sent a flag to Gen. Grant, 
and durinof the correspondence, and until further orders, refrain 
from hostile demonstrations, with a view to prevent a like move- 
ment on the enemy's part. You will endeavor to send a flag to 
the posts in front of your position, notifying them of the fact that I 
have sent a communication to Gen. Grant from the right of our 
position, and desire to know his present head-quarters. 
Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
(Signed) S. B. BUCKNER, 

£rig,-gen. C. S. A. 

In addition to this. Gen. Floyd was my senior, and of high char- 
acter and acknowledged ability. Gen. Buckner, though my junior 
in rank, possesses high reputation as an ofiicer of talents and expe- 
rience. With the judgment of both against me, if I had acted upon 
my own conviction, and had failed or involved the command in 
heavy loss, I was apprehensive it would be regarded as an act of 
rashness, and bring upon me the censure of the Government, and 
the condemnation of the country. Besides, without their assistance 
in command, and with the moral weight of their opinions Avith the 
troops against the step, I did not regard it practicable to make a 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 79 

snccessfnl effort to cut out. I declined to assume the command 
when turned over by Gen. Floyd, because it was against my con- 
victions of duty to surrender the command, and under the decision 
of Gens. Floyd and Buckner (a majority of the council), I could do 
nothing but surrender it. It is proper to say that the difference of 
opinion between Gen. Floyd, Gen. Buckner, and myself, upon this 
branch of the subject, consisted in this, viz. : They thouo-ht it 
would cost three-fourths of the command to cut out. I did not 
think the loss would be so great. If it had been settled that the 
sacrifice would be as much as three-fourths, I should have aoreed 
with them that it was wrong to make the attempt. Ao-ain : I be- 
lieve we could have maintained our position another day, and have 
saved the army by getting back our boats and setting our command 
across tfie river ; but inasmuch as Gen. Buckner was of opinion that 
he could not hold his command more than half an hour, and I 
could not possibly hold my own position of the line, I had no alter- 
native but to submit to the decision of the majority of my brother 
general officers. While I thus differed with them in opinion, I still 
think I did right in acquiescing in opinion with them. "We all 
agreed in opinion we could not long maintain the position against 
such overwhelming numbers of fresh troops. We all aoreed the 
army had performed prodigies of valor, and that, if possible, further 
sacrifices should be avoided. Men will differ and agree according 
to their mental organization. I censure not their opinions, nor do 
I claim merit for my own. The whole matter is submitted to the 
judgment of the Government. 

Since my original report was prepared, I have seen and read the 
official accounts of Gen. Grant and Com. Foote. From these I 
learn that the damage done the enemy's gunboats on the 1.3th, was 
greater by far than was represented by me in my original report. 
Four of the enemy's gunboats were badly disabled, receiving over 
100 shells from our battery, many of which went entirely through 
from stem to stern, tearing the frame of the boats and machinery to 
pieces, and killing and wounding 55 of their crews. Amono- them 
was the commander himself There can, therefore, be no lono-er 
any doubt of the vulnerability of these heavy shots ; but it required 
a desperate fight to settle the question, and there is danger that the 
public mind will run from one extreme to the other, and arrive at a 
conclusion undervaluing the power of the enemy's gunboats. In 
estimating the loss inflicted upon the enemy on the 15th February, 
I saw that the whole field of battle for a mile and a half was cover- 



80 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLER. 

ed with his dead and wounded, and believe his loss could not fail 
sliort of 5000 men. 

I am satisfied from published letters from officers and men of the 
enemy, and from the acknowledgments of the Northern press, that 
his loss was much greater than originally estimated in my report. 
I stated in ray original report, that after we had driven the enemy 
from, and captured his battery on the Wynn's ferry road, and were 
pursuing him around to our right, and after we had met and over- 
come a fresh force of the enemy, on the route towards his gunboats, 
I called off the pursuit, but in the hurry with which that report was 
prej^ared, I omitted to state my reasons for so doing. I knew that 
the enemy had twenty gunboats of fresh troops at his landing, then 
only about three miles distant ; I knew from the great loss my com- 
mand had sustained during the protracted fight of over sev8n hours, 
my command was in no condition to meet a large body of fresh 
troops, who I had every reason to believe were then rapidly ap- 
proaching the field. Gen. Buckner's command, so far as labor was 
concerned, was comparatively fresh, but its disorganization, from 
being repulsed by the battery, had unfitted it to meet and fight 
a large body of fresh troops. I therefore called off the pursuit, 
explaining my reasons to Gen. Floyd, who aj^proved the order. 
This explanation is now given, as necessary to a proper under- 
standing of the order. It is further proper to say, that from the 
moment of my arrival at Donelson, I had the whole force engaged 
night and day in strengthening my position", until the fight com- 
menced, and when the fighting ceased at night it was again at work. 
I did not, therefore, and could not, get a single morning report of 
the strength of my command. 

The four Virginia regiments did not, I am confident, exceed 350 
each for duty. The Texas regiment did not number 300 men. 
Several Mississippi regiments were equally reduced, while those of 
Cols. Voorhies, Abernethy, and Hughes (new regiments), were al- 
most disbanded by measles, and did not exceed 200 each for duty. 
Col. Browden's regiment had but 60 men, and it was by my order 
placed under Capt. Parker to work artiUerj^ All others were 
greatly reduced by wastage. The whole force, therefore, was 
greatly less than could be supposed from the number of nominal 
regiments. Of this force, Gen. Floyd , under his agreement with 
Gen. Buckner, before he turned over the command, drew out a large 
portion of his brigade (how many I do not know) by taking pos- 
session of the steamer Anderson, which arrived at Dover just before 
day, and setting them across the river. A large portion of the 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 81 

cavalry under orders passed out. All of the cavalry was ordered 
to cut out, and could have gone out but for the timidity of its offi- 
cers. Several thousand infantry escaped one way or another, many 
of whom are now at this place, and all others are ordered here as a 
rendezvous for reorganization. From the list of prisoners publish- 
ed in Northern papers, which I have seen, it required the pi'isoners 
of six regiments to make nine hundred men. I do not believe the 
number of prisoners exceeded that stated by the Northern papers, 
which is put at 5170 privates. 

During the afternoon of the loth, I had caused the arras lost by 
the enemy to be gathered up from about half the field of battle, and 
had hauled and stacked up over 5000 stand of arms, and six pieces 
of artillery, all of which were lost in the surrender of the place for 
want of transportation to bring them away. 

In regard to the enemy's force with which we were engaged in 
the battle of Dover, Gen. Grant, in his official report, says that he 
had taken about fifteen thousand prisoners, that Gens. Floyd and 
Pillow had escaped with 15,000 men, and that the forces engaged 
were about equal. While the estimate of prisoners taken, and the 
number with which Gen. Floyd escaped, is wide of the mark, yet 
the aggregate of the numbers as given by himself, is 30,000, and 
his acknowledgments that the forces were about equal, furnishes 
conclusive evidence that we fought 30,000 men ; the same number 
given by prisoners taken. And agreeing with my original estimate 
of his strength, Gen. Halleck, in a telegrajjhic dispatch of 10th 
February from St. -Louis to Gen, McClellan, said "he had invested 
Fort Donelson with a force of 50,000 men, and he had no doubt 
all communication and supplies were cut ofif." Tiiis corroborates 
Grant's statements, for the troops which arrived on the 14th and 
15th of February, being 20 steamboat loads, had not reached the 
battle-field on the morning of the 15th, and it is probable that 
parts of those that arrived on the evening of the 13th had not 
reached it. 

These sources make it clear, we fought 30,000 of the enemy on 
the 15th; and that we were reinvested that night with all the 
enemy's disposable force, including his fresh troops, cannot be 
doubted. Nothing has occurred to change ray original estimate ot 
our loss in the several conflicts with the enemy, at the trenches, 
with the gunboats, and in the battle of Dover. As to the absence still 
of regiment and brigade commanders, it is possible that I have not 
done justice to the officers in my commands. To Brig,-gen. John- 
son's report, which is herewith forwarded, I particularly refer for 

6 



83 OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF EATTI.ES. 

the conduct of officers and commands under his immediate ohserva- 
tion during the battle. The forces under ray immediate command, 
in the conflict with the enemy's right, did not exceed 7000, though 
they never faltered, and drove the enemy from his position, slowly 
and steadily advancing over one and a half miles, carrying the posi- 
tions of his first battery, and two of his guns, and of a battery on 
the Wynn's ferry road, taking four more guns, and afterwards 
uniting with Gen. Buckner's command, drove the enemy back, 
sustained by a number of fresh troops'. 

Yet it is manifest that the fruits of our victory would have been 
far greater, had Gen. Buckner's column been successful in its assault 
upon the Wynn's ferry road battery. Equally clear is it, that 
the enemy, eiFecting a lodgment in Gen. Buckner's rifle-pits, 
on his right, brought the command into extreme peril, making it 
absolutely necessary to take immediate action, in which we were 
imder the necessity of cutting our way out, or holding out another 
day and throwing the command across the river, or of capitula- 
tion. My own position upon these several propositions having 
been explained more fully and in detail in this, my supplementary 
report, nothing more remains in the performance of my duty to the 
Government, but to subscribe myself. 
Very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed) GID. J. PILLOW, 

Brig.-gen. G S. A. 



Note. — That there may be no doubt of the facts stated in this 
report, I append the sworn testimony of Col. Burch, Col. Forrest, 
Majors Henry and Haynes and Nicholson, to which I ask the atten- 
tion of the Government. 

(Signed) GID. J. PILLOW, 

JBrig.-gen. G. S. A. 



Note. — My original estimate was, that our loss in killed and 
wounded was from fifteen hundred to two thousand. We sent up 
from Dover, 1134 wounded. A Federal surgeon's certificate, which 
I have seen, says that there were about 400 Confederate prisoners 
wounded in hospital at Paducah, making 1534 wounded. I was 
satistit'd the killed would increase the number to 2000 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 83 

Colonel Burch's Statement. 

{Referred to in the foregoing^ 

Decatuk, Ala., March 15th, 1862. 

On Saturday evening, February 15th, all of the boats which we 
had at Donelson were sent up the river with our sick, wounded, and 
prisoners. After supper, a council of oflScers was held at Brig.-gen. 
Pillow's head-quarters. I was not present at this council, but 
during its session, being in an adjoining room, I learned from some 
officer that intelligence had been received from scouts on the east 
side of the river, that fourteen of the enemy's transports were 
landing reinforcements one and a half or two miles below us, at 
their usual place of landing. After I had learned this, and during 
the session of the same council, two couriers came to Brig.-gen. 
Buckner — one, and perhaps both, sent by Capt. Graves, of tlie 
artillery ; one stating that a large force was forming in front of 
our right (Gen. Buckner's) wing ; the second stating that large 
bodies of the enemy were seen moving in front of our riglit, 
around towards our left. After the adjournment of this council, 
about 11 or 12 o'clock, I learned that it had been determined to 
evacuate the post, cut our way through the right wing of the 
enemy's investing force, and make our way towards Charlotte, in 
Dixon county. 

Orders were given for the command to be in readiness to march 
at 4 o'clock, A. M. After this, being in Gen. Pillow's private room, 
where Gens. Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner all were, two scouts came 
in, stating that the enemy's camp-fires could be seen at the same 
places in front of our left that they had occupied Friday. From 
the remarks of the generals, this information seemed to be con- 
firmatory of information which they had previously received. 
Major Rice, an intelligent citizen of Dover, was called in and 
interrogated as to the character of the road to Charlotte. His ac- 
count of it was decidedly unfavorable. In the course of the conver- 
sation which then followed among the generals — Gen. Pillow insisting 
upon carrying out the previous determination of the council to cut 
our way out — Brig.-gen. Buckner said that such was the exhausted 
condition of the men, that, if they should succeed in cutting their 
way out, it would be at a heavy sacrifice, and, if pursued by the large 
cavalry force of the enemy, they would be almost entirely cut to 



81 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

pieces. Gen. Floyd concurred with Gen. Buctner. Gen. Pillow 
said, " Then we can fight them another day in our trenches, and by 
to-morrow we can have boats enough here to transport our troops 
across the river, and let them make their escape to Clarksville." 
Gen. Buckner said — That such was the position of the enemy on 
his right, and the demoralization of his forces, from exposure and 
exhaustion, that he could not hold his trenches a half an hour. As 
an illustration of the correctness of his remark, he said — " You, 
gentlemen, know that yesterday morning I considered the 2d Ken- 
tucky (Hanson's regiment) as good a regiment as there was in the 
service, yet such was their condition yesterday afternoon that, when 
I learned the enemy was in their trenches (which were to our ex- 
treme right, and detached from the others), before I could rally and 
form them, I had to take at least twenty men by the shoulders, and 
put them into line as a nucleus for formation." Gen. Floyd con- 
curred with Gen. Buckner in his opinion as to the impossibility of 
holding the trenches longer, and asked — " What shall we do ? " Gen. 
Buckner stated that no ofiicer had a right to sacrifice his men, re- 
ferred to our various successes since Wednesday, at Donelson, and 
concluded by saying that an ofiicer who had successfully resisted an 
assault of a much larger force, and was still surrounded by an 
increased force, could surrender with honor ; and that we had accom- 
plished much more than was required by this rule. Gen. Pillow 
said that he never would surrender. Gen. Floyd said that he 
would sufier any fate before he would surrender, or fall into the 
hands of the enemy alive. At the suggestion of some one present, 
he said that personal considerations influenced him in coming to 
this determination, and further stated that such considerations 
should never govern a general officer. 

Col. Forrest, of the cavalry, who was present, said he would die 
before he would surrender ; that such of his men as would follow 
him, he would take out. Gen. Floyd said be would take his chances 
with Forrest, and asked Gen. Buckner if he would make the surren- 
der ? Gen. Buckner asked him if he (Gen. Floyd) would pass the 
command to him ? Gen. Floyd replied in the affirmative. I un- 
derstood Gen. Pillow as doing the same. "Then," said Gen. Buck- 
ner, " I shall propose terms of capitulation," and asked for ink and 
paper, and directed one of his stafi" to send for a bugler, and prepare 
white flags to plant at various points on our works. Preparations were 
immediately begun to be made by Gen. Floyd and stafi". Gen. Pillow 
and staff", and Col. Forrest, to leave. This was about 3 o'clock, a. m. 
It was suggested by some one that two boats that were known to 



OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLES. 85 

be coming down the river might arrive before day, and Gen. Floyd 
asked, if they came, that he might be permitted to take off on them 
his troops. Gen. Buckner replied that all might leave who could 
before his note was sent to Gen. Grant, the Federal commander. 
Thus ended the conference. 

After this I met or called on Gen. Pillow in the passage, and 
asked him if there was any possibility of a misunderstanding as to 
his position ? He thought not ; but I suggested to him the pro- 
priety of again seeing Gens. Floyd and Buckner, and see that 
there wa^ no possibility of his position being misunderstood by 
them. He said he would, and returned to the room in which the 
conference was held. 

In my statement of what transpired, and of the conversations 
that were had, I do not pretend to have given the exact language 
used, and I may be mistaken as to the order of the remarks that I 
have endeavored to narrate. 

(Signed) JOHN C. BTJRCH, 

Aid to Gen. Pilloto. 

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 15th day of March, 1862. 

Levi Sugans, 
Intendant of the town of Decatur, Ala., and ex officio J. P, 



Colonel Forrest's Statement. 

{^Referred to in Gen. Pilloio's Supplemental Meport.) 

March 15, 1862. 
Between 1 and 2 o'clock on Sunday morning, February 16th, 
being sent for, I arrived at Gen. Pillow's head-quarters, and found 
him, Gen. Floyd, and Gen. Buckner in conversation. Gen. Pillow 
told me that they had received information that the enemy were 
again occupying the same ground they had occupied the morning 
before. I told him I did not believe it, as I had left that part of 
the field, on our left, late the evening before. He told me he had 
sent out scouts, who reported large forces of the enemy moving 
around to our left. He instructed me to go immediately, and send 
two reliable men to ascertain the condition of a road running near 
the river bank, and between the enemy's right and the river, and 



86 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

also to ascertain the position of the enemy. I obeyed his instruc- 
tions, and awaited the return of the scouts. They stated that they 
saw no enemy, but could see their fires in the same place where they 
were Friday night ; that from their examination, and from informa- 
tion obtained from a citizen living on the road, the water was about 
to the saddle skirts, and the mud about half leg deep in the bottom 
where it had been overflowed. The bottom was about a quarter of 
a mile wide, and the water then about one hundred yards wide. 
During the conversation that then ensued among the general offi- 
cers, Gen. Pillow was in favor of trying to cut our way out. Gen. 
Buckner said that he could not hold his position over half an hour 
in the morning, and that if he attempted to take his force out, it 
would be seen by the enemy, who held part of his intrenchments, 
and be followed and cut to j)ieces. I told him that I would take 
my cavalry around them, and he could draw out under cover of 
them. He said that an attempt to cut our way out would involve 
a loss of three-fourths of the men. Gen. Floyd said our force was 
so demoralized as to cause him to agree with Gen. Buckner, as to 
our probable loss in attempting to cut our way out. I said that I 
would agree to cut my way through the enemy's lines at any point 
the general might designate, and stated I could keep back their 
cavalry, which Gen. Buckner thought would greatly harass our 
infantry in retreat. Gen. Buckner or Gen. Floyd said that they 
(the enemy) would bring their artillery to bear on us. I went out 
of the room, and when I returned Gen. Floyd said he could not and 
would not sui-render himself I then asked if they were going to 
surrender the command ? Gen. Buckner remarked that they were. 
I then stated that I had not come out for the purpose of surrender- 
ing my command, and would not do it if they would follow me out ; 
that I intended to go out if I saved but one man, and then turning 
to Gen. Pillow,! asked him what I should do ? He replied, " Cut your 
way out." I immediately left the house and sent for all the officers 
under my command, and stated to them the facts that had occurred, 
and stated my determination to leave, and remarked that all who 
wanted to go could follow me, and those who wished to stay and 
take the consequences might remain in camp. All of my own regi- 
ment, and Capt. Williams, of Helm's Kentucky regiment, said they 
would go with me if the last man fell. Col. Gaute was sent for and 
urged to get out his battalion as often as three times, but he and 
two Kentucky companies (Capt. Wilcox and Capt. Henry) refused 
to come. I marched out the remainder of my command, with Capt. 
Porter's artillery horses, and about two hundred men, of different 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 87 

commands, up the river road and across the overflow, which I found 
to be about saddle-skirt deep. The weather was intensely cold, a 
great many of the men were already frost-bitten, and it was the 
opinion of the generals that the infantry could not have passed 
through the water and have survived it. 

(Signed) A. B. FORREST, 

Forrest's Regiment Cavalry. 
Sworn to and subscribed before me on the 15th day of March, 
1862 Levi Sugans, 

Intendant of town of Decatur^ Ala., and ex offi. J. P. 



Major Henry's Statement. 

{Hef erred to in Gen. Pillow's Supplemental Report) 

Decatur, Ala., March 13, 1862. 
On the morning of the 16th February, 1862, 1 was present during 
the council of war held in Brig.-gen. Pillow's head-quarters at Do- 
ver, Tennessee, Gens. Floyd, Pillow, Buckner, and Gen, Pillow's 
staff being present. On account of being very much exhausted 
from the fight of the 15th inst., I slept the forepart of the- night, and 
came down stairs from my room into Gen. Pillow's about one or two 
o'clock. At the time I entered Gen, Pillow's room, it had been de- 
cided that we should fight our way out, and Gen, Pillow gave me 
orders to gather up all the papers and books belonging to my de- 
partment. Whereupon I immediately executed the orders given to 
me, and then returned to Gen. Pillow's room, when a change of 
operations had been decided upon, on account of information re- 
ceived from scouts ordered out by Gen. Pillow to ascertain whether 
the enemy reoccupied the ground they were driven from the day 
jDrevious, The scouts returned and reported that the enemy had 
swung entirely around and were in possession of the very same 
ground. Gen, Pillow being still in doubt, sent a second party of 
scouts who made a thorough reconnoissance, and reported that the 
woods were perfectly alive with troops, and that their camp fires 
were burning in every direction. Gen. Pillow then sent a party of 
cavalry to inspect a slough that was filled with backwater from 
the river, to see if infontry could pass. They returned after having 
made a thorough examination on horseback and on foot, and re- 



88 OFFICIAL KEP0RT8 OF BATTLES. 

ported that infantry could not pass, but they thought cavahy could. 
Conimunication being thus out off, Gen. Pillow urged the propriety 
of making a desperate attempt to cut our way out, whatever might 
be the consequences, or make a fight in the work and hold our 
position one more day, by which time we could get steamboats 
sufficient to put the whole command over the river, and make our 
escape by the way of Clarksville. Gen. Buckner then said : that in 
consequence of the worn-out condition and demoralization of the 
troops under his command, and the occupation of his rifle-pits on 
the extreme right by the enemy, that he could not hold his position 
a half hour after being attacked, which he thought would begin 
about daylight. Gen. Pillow then said : that by the enemy's oc- 
cupation of the rifle-pits on Gen. Buckner's right, that it was an' 
open gateway to our river battery, and that he thought we ought 
to cut our way through, carrying with us as many as possible, leav- 
ing the killed and wounded on the field. Gen. Buckner then said : 
that it would cost three-fourths of the command to get the other 
fourth out, and that he did not think any general had the right to 
make such a sacrifice of human life. Gen. Floyd agreed with Gen. 
Buckner on this point. Gen. Pillow then rose up and said : " Gen- 
tlemen, as you refuse to make an attempt to cut our way out, and 
Gen. Buckner says he will not be able to hold his position a half 
hour after being attacked, there is only one alternative left ; that is, 
capitulation," and then and there remarked that he would not sur- 
render the command or himself, that he would die first. Gen. Floyd • 
then spoke out and said, that he would not surrender the command 
or himself Gen. Buckner remarked that, if placed in command, he 
would surrender the command and share its fate. Gen. Floyd then 
said : " General Buckner, if I place you in command, will you allow 
me to get out as much of my brigade as I can ?" Gen. Buckner 
replied, "I will, provided you do so before the enemy receives my 
j^roposition for capitulation." Gen. Floyd then turned to Gen. Pil- 
low and said : " I turn the command over, sir." Gen. Pillow re- 
plied promptly, " I pass it." Gen. Buckner said : " I assume it ; 
give me pen, ink, and paper, and send for a bugler." Gen. Pillow 
then started out of the room to make arrangements for his escape, 
when Col. Forrest said to him : " Gen. Pillow, what shall I do ?" 
Gen. Pillow replied, " Cut yom- way out, sir ;" Forrest said, " I will 
do it," and left the room. 

(Signed) GUS. A. HENRY, Jr., 

Assistant Adj-gen. 
To Brig-gen. Pillow. 



official reports of battles. 89 

The State of Alabama, Morgan County. 

This day personally came before me, Levi Sugans, Intendant of 
the town of Decatur, County and State aforesaid, Major Gus. A. 
Henry, Jr., who makes oath in due form of law, that the above 
statements are true. Sworn to and subscribed before me. on the 
14th day of March, 1862. 

(Signed) GUS. A. HENRY, Jr., 

Assistant Adj-gen. 
(Signed) LEVI SUGANS, 

Intendant. 



Major Haynes' Statement. 

{Referred to in Gen. Pillow^ s Supplemental Meport.) 

Office DrvisiON Commissary, 

Decatur, Ala., March 13, 1862. 

I was present at the council of officers, held at Brig.-gen. Gideon 
J. Pillow's head-quarters, in the town of Dover, Tenn., on the morn- 
ing of the 16th February, 1862. Was awoke in my quarters at 
one o'clock, a. m., by Col. John C. Burch, aid-de-carap, and ordered 
to report to Gen. Pillow forthwith. I instantly proceeded to head- 
quarters, where I saw Brig.-gens. Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner, Col. 
Forrest, Major Henry, Assistant Adj.-generals Gilmer and Jones, 
and Lieuts. Nicholson and Martin, the two latter volunteer aids to 
Gen. Pillow, On my entrance in the room, was accosted by Gen. 
Pillow, and being taken to one side, was informed by him that they 
had determined to cut their way through the enemy's lines, and 
retreat from Dover to Nashville, and he desired me to destroy all 
the commissary stores, and then make my escape across the river. 
I desired to know at what hour Gen. Pillow wished his order to be 
executed, when, looking at his watch, he replied at half-past five 
o'clock. I then retired from the room to inform my assistants ol 
the order, but in one hour, returned to head-quarters. 

On re-entering the room, heard Gen. Buckner say, "I cannot 
hold my position half an hour after the attack," and Gen. Pillow, 
who was sitting next to Gen. Buckner, and immediately fronting 
the fireplace, promptly asked, " Why can't you ?" at the same time 
adding, " I think you can hold your position ; I think you can, sir." 
Gen. Buckner retorted, " I know my position ; I can only bring to 
bear against the enemy about four thousand men, while he can 



90 OFFIClAi. EEP0ET8 OF BATTLES. 

oppose me with any given number." Gen. Pillow then said : " Well, 
gentlemen, what do you intend to do ? I am in favor of fighting 
out." Gen. Floyd then spoke, and asked Gen. Buckner what he 
had to say, and Gen, Buckner answered quickly, that the attempt 
to cut a way through the enemy's lines and retreat would cost a 
sacrifice of three-fourths of the command, and no commander had a 
right to make such a sacrifice. Gen. Floyd concurring, remarked, 
" We will have to capitulate ; but, gentlemen, I cannot surrender ; 
you know my position with the Federals ; it wouldn't do, it 
wouldn't do;" whereupon Gen. Pillow, addressing Gen. Floyd, 
said : " I will not surrender myself nor the command ; will die 
Jirst.''^ "Then, I suppose, gentlemen," said Gen. Buckner, "the 
surrender will devolve u^jon me ?" Gen. Floyd replied, speaking 
to Gen. Buckner, " General, if you are put in command, will you 
allow me to take out by the river my brigade?" "Yes, sir," 
responded Gen. Buckner, " if you move your command before the 
enemy act upon my communication oflfering to capitulate." 
"Then, sir," said Gen. Floyd, "I surrender the command;" and 
Gen. Pillow, who was next in command, very quickly exclaimed, 
" I will not accept it ; I will never surrender," and while speaking, 
turned to Gen. Buckner, who remarked, " I will accept and share 
the fate of my command," and called for pen, ink, paper, and 
bugler. 

After the capitulation was determined upon, Gen. Pillow wished 
to know if it would be proper for him to make his escape, when 
Gen. Floyd replied that the question was one for every man to 
decide for himself, but he would be glad for every one to escape 
that could. " Then, sir, I shall leave here," replied Gen. Pillow. 
Col. Forrest, who was in the room, and heard what passed, then 
spoke : " I think there is more fight in these men than you all 
suppose, and if you will let me, I will take my command ;" Gen. 
Pillow responding to him, " Yes, sir, take out your command ; cut 
your way out." Gens. Floyd and Buckner assented ; Gen. Floyd, 
by saying, " Yes, take out your command," and Gen. Buckner, by 
expressing, " I have no objection." The means of getting away 
was then discussed, and soon thereafter we began to disperse. 

While the gentlemen were leaving the room, I approached Gen. 
Buckner, and wished to know if Gen. Pillow's order, to destroy 
the commissary stores, should be carried out, and he answered, 
" Major Haynes, I countermand the order." It may be proper for 
me to say that I never met Gen, Pillow before the morning of the 
9th February, 1862, having been upon Brig.-gen. Charles Clark's 



OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 91 

staff since my entrance into the service, and only went to Donelson 
with Gen, Pillow to take temporary charge of the commissariat. 
Gen. Pillow assigned me to duty on his staif after arriving at Don- 
elson, on the 10th February, 1862. 

(Signed) W. H. HAYNES, 

Major and Brigade Commissary. 

State of Alabama, Morgan County, ss. 

Personally appeared before me, Levi Sugans, Intendant of the 
town of Decatur, and ex officio Justice of the Peace, Major W. H. 
Haynes, who makes oath that the statements herein made, relating 
to what was said in the council of officers, on the morning of the 
16th February, 1862, are true. 

Sworn to and subscribed before me this 14th March, 1862. 
(Signed) W. H. HAYNES, 

Major and Brigade Commissary. 
(Signed) LEVI SUGANS, 

Intendant, 



Hunter Nicholson's Statement. 

{Referred to in Gen. Pillovi's Supplemental Heport.) 

I was present at the council of war, held at Brig.-gen. Pillow's 
head-quarters in Dover, on Saturday night, February 15th, 1862. 
I came into the room about two o'clock. There were present, 
Gens. Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner, Major Gilmer, Col. Forrest, and 
several staff officers, among whom I distinctly remember Major 
Henry and Col. Burch, of Gen. Pillow's staff. 

The generals were discussing the necessity and practicability of 
marching the forces T)ut of the intrenchments and evacuating the 
place. Major Rice, a resident of Dover, and an aid-de-camp of 
Gen. Pillow, was describing the nature of the country and character 
of the roads over which the army would have to .pass. He referred 
to some citizen, I think a doctor, but do not remember his name, 
whom he repi-esented as more familiar with the roads. In a little 
while, or perhaps during the conversation of Major Rice, the gen- 
tleman referred to was announced. He gave a description of the 
roads, which, from my ignorance of the locality, I am unable to 
repeat. The substance was, however, that though exceedingly 
difficult, it was possible to pass the road with light baggage trains. 



92 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Gen. Pillow asked most of the questions propounded to this gentle- 
man, as also of those to Major Rice. At this point I was called 
into an adjoining* room, where I remained but a few minutes. 
When I returned, Major Jones, brigade quarter-master, was just 
entering the room. Gen. Pillow at once approached him, and 
taking him a little one side, explained to him that it had been de- 
termined to evacuate the place, and that he must prepare to burn 
the quarter-master's stores in his hands. Major Jones inquired at 
what time. Gen. Pillow replied about daybreak, about half-past 
five o'clock. Major Jones left very soon, and I did not see him in 
the room afterwards, that I recollect. In a few minutes Major 
Haynes, brigade commissary, entered the room, and received 
similar instructions as to the commissary stores under his charge. 
About this time a scout was ushered in, who announced that the 
enemy had reoccupied the lines from which they had been driven 
during the fight on Saturday. Gen. Pillow doubted if the scout 
was not mistaken ; so another was sent out. About half an hour 
had elapsed when Major Haynes returned and remained near me in 
the room during the remainder of the discussion. Just as he en- 
tered. Gen. Buckner remarked : " I am confident that the enemy 
will attack my lines by daylight, and I cannot hold them for half an 
hour." Gen. Pillow replied quickly : " Why so, why so, general ? " 
Gen. Buckner replied: "Because I can bring into action not over 
four thousand men, and they demox'alized by long and uninterrupted 
exposure and fighting, while he can bring any number of fresh 
troops to the attack." Gen. Pillow replied : " I differ with you ; I 
think you can hold your lines ; I think you can, sir." Gen. Buckner 
replied : " I know my position, and I know that the lines cannot be 
held with my troops in their present condition." Gen. Floyd it 
was, I think, who then remarked : " Then, gentlemen, a capitulation 
is all that is left us." To which Gen. Pillow replied : " I do not 
think so ; at any rate we can cut our way out." Gen, Buckner re- 
plied : " To cut our way out would cost three-fourths of our men, 
and I do not think any commander has a right to sacrifice three- 
fourths of his command to save one-fourth." To which Gen. Floyd 
replied : " Certainly not." 

About this time the second scout sent out returned, and reported 
the enemy in force occupying the position from which they had 
been driven. Thereupon two of Col. Forrest's cavalry were sent 
to examine the backwater, and report if it could be crossed by the 
army. These scouts returned in a short time, and reported that 
cavalry could pass, but infantry could not. 



OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 93 

Gen. Buckner then asked : " Well, gentlemen, what are we to 
do ?" Gen. Pillow replied : " You understand fne, gentlemen, I 
am for holding out, at least to-day, getting boats, and crossing the 
command over. As for myself, I will never surrender ; I will die 
first." Gen. Floyd replied : " Nor will I. I cannot and will not 
surrender ; but I must confess personal reasons control me." Gen. 
Buckner rejjlied: "But such considerations should not control a 
general's actions." Gen, Floyd replied : " Certainly not ; nor 
would I permit it to cause me to sacrifice the command," Gen. 
Buckner replied : " Then, I suppose the duty of surrendering the 
command will devolve on me." Gen. Floyd asked : " How will 
you proceed ?" Gen. Buckner replied : " I will send a flag asking 
for Gen. Grant's quarters, that I may send a message to him. I 
will propose an armistice of six hours to arrange terms." A pause 
here ensued. Then Gen. Buckner asked : " Am I to consider the 
command as turned over to me?" Gen. Floyd replied: "Cer- 
tainly ; I turn over the command." Gen. Pillow replied, quickly : 
" I pass it ; I will not surrender." Gen. Buckner then called for 
pen, ink, paper, and a bugler. Gen. Floyd then said : " Well, gen- 
eral, will I be permitted to take my little brigade out if I can ?" 
Gen. Buckner replied: "Certainly, if you can get them out before 
the terras of capitulation are agreed on." Col. Forrest then asked : 
" Gentlemen, have I leave to cut my way out with my command ?" 
Gen. Pillow rephed: "Yes, sir; cut your way out;" and con- 
tinuing, " gentlemen, is there any thing wrong in my leaving ?" 
Gen. Floyd replied : " Eveiy man must judge for himself of that." 
Gen. Pillow replied : " Then I shall leave this place." Here Gen. 
Pillow left the room ; but returning in a short time and taking a 
seat between Gens. Floyd and Buckner, said : " Gentlemen, in order 
that we may understand each other, let me state what is ray posi- 
tion. I difier with you as to the cost of cutting our way out ; but 
if it was ascertained that it would cost three-fourths of the com- 
mand, I agree that it would be wrong to sacrifice them for the re- 
maining fourth." Gens. Floyd and Buckner replied : " We under- 
stand you, general, and you understand us." 

After this I left the room, and soon after, the place. 

(Signed,) HUNTER NICHOLSON". 

Sworn to and subscribed before me on this 18th day of March, 
1862. 

(Signed) Levi Sugans, 

Intendant of the town of Decatur^ Ala., and ex-qfficio J. P. 



94 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Response of Brig.-gen. Gid. J. Pillow to the Order of 
the Secretary of War of March 11, 1862. 

To Capt. H. P. Brewstee, A. A. G. : 

Sir : In my supplemental report, which was forwarded through 
Gen. A. S. Johnston, I have, as I conceived, substantially answered 
the points as indicated in the order of the Secretary of War as un- 
satisfactory to the President. But to be more specific, and to reply 
directly to these points, I beg to say, that : 

1. Gen. Floyd reached Fort Donelson early in the morning on 
the 13th of February, and being my senior officer, assumed the 
command. Up to that time we had no need of additional forces, 
for at that time the enemy had only about 20,000 troops, and we 
had a force fully sufficient to defend the place against that force, 
and I did not, nor could not, know with what force they meant to 
invest us. We were attacked by that force, on the 13th, around 
our whole line, and after three or four hours of vigorous assault, 
we repulsed his forces everywhere. 

After Gen. Floyd's arrival, being second in command, I could 
not, without a violation of military duty, apply for reinforcements. 
But I do not seek to shelter myself from responsibility by this con- 
sitleration. Though the enemy's force greatly exceeded ours, we 
felt we could hold our position against him, until his large force of 
fresh troops arrived on the evenings of the 13th, 14th, and 15th. 
These arrivals, of about 30,000 troops, made it manifest that we 
could not hold the position long against such overwhelming num- 
bers, particularly as they were then enabled to completely invest us 
and cut off our communication with the river. 

It was then impossible to get reinforcements from Bowling Green 
or elsewhere in time to relieve us. It required three days, by rail- 
road and river, for the forces which did come to us to get there, 
owing to the shortness of transportation. 

I ajjprised Gen. Johnston of the arrival of the enemy's large re- 
iiitbrcenients, giving him every arrival. But I had just come from 
l>o\vliug Green, and was of opinion that the force reserved for that 
position was inadequate for its defence against a large assaulting 
force, and I knew Gen. Johnston could not give me any reinforce- 
ments unless he abandoned the place, a measure which I did not 
consider it my province to suggest. Knowing this, I felt it my duty 
to make the best possible defence with the forces we had. We had 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 95 

one additional regiment or battalion there, whicli Gen. Floyd sent 
to Cumberland City to protect public stores that had been for- 
warded to that city. These are the reasons why no application was 
made for reinforcements. 

2. In response to the second point made by the Secretary's order, I 
have to say that arrangements were all made, orders given the whole 
command to evacuate the work, and troops were under arms to 
march out, when information was received that we were reinvested. 
Up to this time the general officers were all agreed upon the line 
of action necessary and proper under the circumstances. (See sup- 
plemental report.) It was as to the necessity of a change of policy 
in the new state of the case that the difference of opinion arose 
among the general officers. I was for cutting our way out. Gens. 
Floyd and Buckner thought that surrender was a necessity of the 
l^osition of the army. 

In response to the point made by the Secretary's order that it 
was not satisfactorily explained how a part of the command was 
withdrawn and the balance surrendered, I have to say : 

On the night and evening of the 15th of February, after the 
battle, in expectation of evacuating the place that night. Gen. 
Floyd had sent off every steamboat that we had with the prisoners, 
our sick, and wounded. As matters turned out it was most unfor- 
tunate, but I do not perceive how the act could be censured, for it 
was a measure preparatory to evacuation, and no one could have 
foreseen the course of events which late that night defeated that 
measure. 

The act, however, was that of my senior officer, and I was not 
even consulted about its propi'iety. 

When we ascertained, between three and four o'clock that night, 
that we were reinvested, and the question of our position became 
one of vital interest to the commanding officers, we had not a single 
boat, neither skiff, yawl, nor even float, or other ferry boats. There 
was no means of" crossing the river. The river was full, and the 
weather intensely cold. About daybreak the steamer General An- 
derson, and one other little boat, came down ; one of the boats had 
on board about 400 raw troops. I had then crossed the river in a 
small hand flat, about four feet wide by twelve long, which Mr. 
Rice, a citizen of Dover (acting as my volunteer aid-de-carap), had 
by some means brought over from the opposite side of the river. 

Upon the arrival of these steamers, Gen. Floyd, acting, I presume, 
under agreement between him and Gen. Buckner, before the com- 
mand was turned over, crossed over to the opposite shore as many 



96 OFFICIAL KEP0RT8 OF BATTLES. 

of his troops as he could, until he was directed by Gen. Buckner's 
staff officer to leave, as the gunboats of the enemy were approach- 
ing. This information was given me by Gen. Floyd at Clarksville. 
My horses were brought across the river on one of the boats that 
brought over the ti'oops. Myself and staff then made our way to 
Clarksville by land. These facts explain how a portion of the com- 
mand were withdrawn when the balance could not be. I, however, 
had no kind of agency in it. 

3. In response to the third point upon which information is called for 
by the Secretary's order, viz. : Upon what principle the senior offi- 
cers avoided responsibility by transferring the command, I have 
only to say that I urged from first to last the duty of cutting 
through the enemy's lines with the entire command ; I was not sus- 
tained, but was alone in my position; and with Gen. Buckner's 
avowal that his troops could not make another fight, and without 
the assistance of either general in command, and in an enterprise 
of great difficulty and peril, I could scarcely hope to cut through 
the enemy's lines unaided. Yet it was against my conviction of 
duty to surrender. 

Under the circumstances in which I was placed, I saw no means 
of defeating the surrender, and therefore considering myself only 
technically the recipient of the command ; when turned over by 
Gen. Floyd, I promptly passed, and declined to accept it. It was 
in this sense that I said in my original rej^ort that when the com- 
mand was turned over to me I passed it. In point of fact, how- 
ever, the command was turned over by Gen. Floyd to Gen. Buckner. 

In proof of which I embody in this report a dispatch from Gen. 
Floyd, to Gen. A. S. Johnston, on the morning of the 16th Feb- 
ruary ; I also embody an order of Gen. Buckner's, after he had as- 
sumed command, to Brig.-gen. B. R. Johnson. 



Cumberland City, Feb. 16, 1862. 
To Gen. Johnston: 

This morning at 2 o'clock, not feeling willing myself to surrender, I 
turned over the command to Gen. Buckner, who determined to 
surrender the fort and the army, as any further resistance would 
only result in the unavailing spilling of blood. I succeeded in 
saving half of my command by availing myself of two little boats 
at the wharf — all that could be commanded. The balance of the 
entire reserve of the army fell into the hands of the enemy. The 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLKS. 97 

enemy's force was largely augmented yesterday by the arrival ot 
thirteen transports, and his force could not have been less than fifty 
thousand. I have attempted to do my duty in this trying and 
difficult position, and only regret that my exertions have not been 
more successful, 

(Signed) J. B. FLOYD. 



Order of Brig-gen. Buckner to Brig-gen. B. R. Johnson. 

Head-quarters, Dover, Feb. 16, 1862. 
Sir : — The command of the forces in this vicinity has devolved 
upon me by order of Gen. Floyd. I have sent a flag to Gen. Grant, 
and during the correspondence, and until further orders, shall re- 
frain from any hostile demonstrations, with a view of preventing a 
like movement on the enemy's j^art. You will endeavor to send 
a flag to the enemy's posts in front of your position, notifying them 
of the fact that I have sent a communication to Gen. Grant from 
the right of our position, and desire to know his head-quarters. 
Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
(Signed) S. B. BUCKNER, Brig-gen. O. S. A. ' 



These orders show that all parties knew the command was turned 
over, not to myself, but to Gen. Buckner. The reason for this was 
obvious ; both Gens. Buckner and Floyd were of opinion that a 
surrender of the command was a necessity of its position. They 
had both heard me say that I would die before I would surrender 
the command. 

Gen. Buckner had said, if placed in command, he would make 
the surrender, and he had agreed with Gen. Floyd, that he might 
withdraw his brigade. This understanding and agreement, and 
my position, excluded me from actual command. 

Having gone into the council of general officers, and taken part 
in its deliberations, I felt bound by its decision, although against 
my conviction of duty. I, therefore, determined not to assume nor 
accept the command. I still think that in acquiescing in this de- 
cision, as a necessity of my position, I acted correctly, although my 
judgment was wholly against the measure to surrender. I had no 
agency whatever in withdrawing any portion of the command, 
except to direct Col. Forrest to cut his way out with his cavalry, 
all of which I organized into a brigade under him. 

7 



98 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

5. In response to the 5th and 6th inquiries of the Secretary's 
orders, I reply, I do not know what regiments of Gen. Floyd's 
brigade were surrendered, nor which were withdrawn, nor do I 
know upon what principle the selection was made. 

For further information, reference is made to my original and 
supplemental reports. 

Before closing the response to the Hon. Secretary's order, I deem 
it not improper to say, that the only doubt I felt, in my opinion, I 
expressed, position assumed, or act I did, was, as to the pi-opriety 
of retiring from the garrison, when I could not control the fate of 
the command, whose surrender was not my act, or with my ap- 
proval. Upon this point, I consulted Gens. Floyd and Buckner. 

For these reasons, and knowing that the general officers would 
not be permitted to accompany the men into captivity, I finally de- 
termined to retire, hoping I might be able to render some service 
to the country. 

Very respectfully, 

GID. J. PILLOW, 

Brig. -Gen. C. S. A 



Original Report of Gen. S. B. Buckner, addressed 
to CoL W. W. Mackall, A. A. G. 

Head-quarters Cumberland Army. 
Dover, Tenn., Feb. 18, 1862. 

Sir :t— It becomes ray duty to report that the remains of this 
army, after winning some brilliant successes, both in repulsing the 
assaults of the enemy, and in sallying successfully through their 
lines, has been reduced to the necessity of a surrender. 

At the earliest j^racticable day, I will send a detailed report of its 
operations. I can only say now, that after the battle of the 15th 
inst. had been won, and my division of the army was being estab- 
lished in position to cover the retreat of the army, the plan of battle 
seemed to have been changed, and the troops were ordered back to 
the trenches. Before my own division returned to their works on the 
extreme right, the lines were assailed at that point, and my extreme 
right was occupied by a large force of the enemy. But I successfully 
repelled their further assaults. 

It was the purpose of Gen. Floyd to effect the retreat of the 
army over the ground which had been won in the morning, and 
the troops moved from their works with that view ; but before any 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 99 

movement for that purpose was organized, a reconnoissance showed 
that the ground was occupied by the enemy in great strength. Gen. 
Floyd then determined to retreat across the river, with such force 
as could escape ; but as there were no boats until nearly daylight 
on the 16th, he left with some regiments of Virginia troops about 
daylight, and was accompanied by Brig.-gen Pillow. 

I was thus left in command of the remnant of the army, which 
had been placed in movement for a retreat, which was discovered 
to be impracticable. My men were in a state of complete exhaus- 
tion, from extreme siiffering, from cold, and fatigue ; the supply of 
ammunition, especially for the artillery, was being rapidly exhausted, 
the army was to a great extent demoralized by the retrograde 
movement. On being placed in command, I ordered such troops 
as could not cross the river to return to their intrenchments, to 
make at the last moment such resistance as was possible to the over- 
whelming force of the enemy. But a small portion of the forces 
had returned to the lines, when I received from Gen. Grant a reply 
to my proposal to negotiate for terms of surrender. To have re- 
fused his terms would, in the condition of the army at that time, 
have led to the massacre of my troops without any advantage re- 
sulting from the saciifice. I therefore felt it my highest duty to 
these brave men, whose conduct- had been so brilliant, and whose 
sufferings had been so intense, to accept the ungenerous terms pro- 
loosed by the Federal commander, who overcame us solely by over- 
whelming superiority of numbers. This army is, accordingly, prison- 
ers of war ; the officers retaining their side-arms and private pro- 
perty, and the soldiers their clothing and blankets. I regret to 
state, however, that, notwithstanding the earnest efforts of Gen. 
Grant and many of his officers to prevent it, our camps have been a 
scene of almost indiscriminate pillage by the Federal troops. 

In conclusion, I request, at the earliest time practicable, a Court of 
inquiry, to examine into the causes of the surrender of this army. 
I am, sir, very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed) S. B. BUCKNER, 

Brig^-gen. C. S. A. 
To Col. W. W. Mackall, 

A, A. General, 

Nashville, Tenn. 



100 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 



Official Report of Operations of Gen. S. B. Buckner's 
Division in the defence of Fort Donelson, and of 
the surrender of that post. 

Richmond, Ya., August 11, 1862. 

Sir : — I have the honor to make the following report of the op- 
erations of that portion of the 2d division of the Central Army of 
Kentucky, which was detached from Bowling Green and Russell- 
ville, Ky., to aid in the defence of Fort Donelson and the village of 
Dover, on the Cumberland river, Tennessee. 

By the courtesy of Brig.-gen. Grant, United States Army, I was 
permitted to transmit to Clarksville, Tennessee, a brief report of 
the surrender of Fort Donelson, but, as I now learn, it never 
reached the head-quarters of Gen. A. S. Johnston, I transmit here- 
with a copy. 

I have been prevented from making an earlier report by the 
refusal of the Federal authorities, during my imprisonment, either 
to permit me to make a rejx)rt or to receive the report of subordi- 
nate commanders. Such, indeed, was the discourtesy of the Fed- 
eral War Department, that, though kept in solitary confinement 
during my impi'isonment, and prevented from holding communica- 
tions with any of my fellow-prisoners, a request on my part to be 
informed of the cause of a pi-oceeding so unusual amongst nations 
l)retending to follow the rules of civilized warfare, failed to elicit a 
response. On the 11th February, ultimo, Brig.-gen. Floyd had 
resolved to concentrate his division and my own at Cumberland 
city, with a view of operating from some point of the railway west 
of that position, in the direction of Fort Donelson or Fort Henry, 
thus maintaining his communications with Nashville, by the way of 
Charlotte. I reached Fort Donelson on the night of February 11 th, 
with orders from Gen. Floyd to direct Gen. Pillow to send back at 
once to Cumberland City the troops which had been designated. 

Before leaving Clarksville I had, by authority of Gen. Floyd, 
ordered Scott's regiment of Louisiana cavahy to operate on the 
north side of the Cumberland river, in the direction of Fort Donel- 
son, with a view to prevent the establishment of any of the enemy's 
field batteries which might interfere with our transports. Gen. 
Pillow declined to execute the order of which I was the bearer, 
until he should have a personal interview with Gen. Floyd. Ac- 



OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLES. 101 

cordingly, on the morning of the 1 2th, he left me terapornrily in 
command, and proceeded himself in a steamer to Cumberland city. 
Before leaving, he informed me that he had directed a reconnois- 
^nce to be made by Col. Forrest's cavalry, with instructions in no 
event to bring on an engagement, should the enemy approach in 
force. 

Gen. Pillow left me under the impression that he did not expect 
an immediate advance of the enemy, and regarded their approach 
from the direction of Fort Henry as impracticable. During the 
morning, Forrest reported the enemy advancing in force with the 
view of enveloping our line of defence ; and for a time he was en- 
gaged with his usual gallantry in heavy skirmishing with them, at 
one time driving one of their battalions back upon their artillery. 

About noon Gen. Pillow returned and resumed command ; it 
having been determined to reinforce the garrison Avith the remain- 
ing troops from Cumberland City and Clarksville. 

The defences were in a very imperfect condition. The space to be 
defended by the army was quadrangular in shape, being limited on 
the north by the Cumberland river, on the east and west by small 
streams, now converted into deep sloughs by the high water, and on 
the south by our line of defence. The river Une exceeded a mile in 
length ; the line of defence was about two miles and a half long, 
and its distance from the river vai'ied from one-fourth to three- 
fourths of a mile. The line of entrenchments consisted of a few 
logs rolled together and but slightly covered with earth, forming an 
insufficient protection even against field artillery. No more than 
one-third of the Une was completed on the morning of the 12th. 
It had been located under the direction of that able engineer offi- 
cer. Major Gilmer, near the crests of a series of ridges which sloped 
backwards to the river, and were again commanded in several 
places by other ridges at a still greater distance from the river. 
This chain of heights was intersected by deep valleys and ravines, 
which materially interfered with communications between diffi?rent 
parts of the line. Between the village of Dover and the water 
batteries, a broad and deep valley extending directly back from the 
river, and flooded by the high water, intersected the quadrangular 
area occupied by the army, and almost completely isolated the 
right wing. That part of the line which covered the land-approach 
to the water batteries, and constituted our right wing, was assigned 
to me with a portion of my division, consisting of the third or Col. 
John C. Brown's brigade, which Avas composed of the 3d Tennessee 
Volunteers, which was CoL Brown's regiment, 18th Tennessee regi- 



102 OFFICIAL EEPOBTS OF BATTLES. 

ment, Col, Palmer, 32d Tennessee regiment, Col. Cook ; half of 
Col. Baldwin's 2d brigade, temporarily attached to Col. Brown's 2d 
regiment Kentucky Volmiteers, Col. R. W.Hanson; 14th Missis- 
sippi Volunteers, Major Doss; 41st Tennessee Volunteers, Col. 
Farquharson ; Porter's battery of six field-pieces ; Graves' battery 
of six field-pieces. 

The remaining regiments of Baldwin's brigade, the 26th Tennes- 
see Volunteers, Col. Lillard, and the 26th Mississippi Volunteers, 
Col. Reynolds, together with the brigade commander, were de- 
tached from my command by Brig. -gen. Pillow and assigned a posi- 
tion on the left of the line of entrenchments. 

The work on my lines was prosecuted with energy, and was urged 
forward as rapidly as the limited number of tools would permit ; so 
that by the morning of the 13th my position was in a respectable 
state of defence. 

My disposition of the troops was as follows : 

Hanson's regiment on the extreme right; Palmer's regiment, 
with its reserve, in position to reinforce Hanson ; Porter's battery 
occupying the reserve, in position or reinforce Hanson ; Porter's 
battery occupying the advanced salient, sweeping the road which 
led to the front, and flanking the intrenchments both to the right 
and to the left. The reserve of the 14th Mississippi was held as its 
support. Brown's, Cooks', and Farquharson's regiments were on 
the left. Graves' battery occupied a position near the extreme left 
of the intrenchments on the declivity of the hill, whence it swept 
the valley with its fire and flanked the position of Col. Heiman to 
the east of the valley. 

Fi'om three to five companies of each regiment were deployed as 
skirmishers in the rifle-pits. The other companies of each regiment 
were massed in columns, sheltered from the enemy's fire behind 
the irregularities of the ground, and held in convenient positions to 
reinforce any portion of the line that might be seriously threatened. 

No serious demonstration was made on our lines on the 12th. 

Early on the morning of the 13th, a column of the enemy's in- 
fantry, which was apparently forming to move down the valley be- 
tween my left and Heiman's right, was driven back by a few well- 
directed shots fi'om Graves' battery. 

About 10 o'clock in the morning the enemy made a vigorous at- 
tack upon Hanson's position, but was repulsed with heavy loss. The 
attack was subsequently renewed by three heavy regiments, but was 
again repulsed by the 2d Kentucky regiment, aided by a part of the 
18th Tennessee. In both these afiairs, and also in a third repulse of the 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 103 

enemy from the same position, Porter's battery played a conspicnoas 
part. 

About 11 o'clock a strong attack was made on Col. Heiman's 
position beyond my left. A well-directed fire from Graves' battery 
upon the flank of the assaulting column materially contributed to 
repulse the enemy with heavy loss. 

The fire of the enemy's artillery and riflemen was incessant 
throughout the day ; but was responded to by a well-directed fire 
from the intrenchments, which inflicted upon the assailant consider- 
able loss, and almost silenced his fire late in the afternoon. On the 
preceding night Gen. Floyd had arrived and assumed command of 
all the troops, and during the morning visited and inspected my 
lines. My loss during the day was thirty-nine (39) in killed and 
wounded. 

The enemy were comparatively quiet in front of my position dar- 
ing the 14th. On the morning of that day I was summoned to a 
council of general officers, in which it was decided unanimously, in 
view of the arrival of heavy reinforcements of the enemy below, to 
make an immediate attack upon their right, in order to open our 
communications with Charlotte, in the direction of Nashville. It 
was urged that this attack should be made at once, before the dis- 
embarkation of enemy's reinforcements — supposed to be about 
fifteen thousand men. I proposed with my division to cover the 
retreat of the army, should the sortie prove successful. I made the 
necessary dispositions preparatory to executing the movement, but 
early in the afternoon the order was countermanded by Gen. Floyd, 
at the instance, as I afterwards learned of Gen. Pillow, who, after 
drawing out his troops for the attack, thought it too late for the at- 
tempt. 

On the night of the 14th it was unanimously decided, in a council 
of general officers and regimental commanders, to attack the 
enemy's right at daylight. The object of the attack was to force 
our way through his lines, recover our communications, and effect 
our retreat upon Nashville by way of Charlotte, Tenn. This move- 
ment had become imperatively necessary in consequence of the 
vastly superior and constantly increasing force of the enemy, who 
had already completely enveloped our position. The general plan 
was for Gen. Pillow to attack his extreme right, and for that por- 
tion of my division remaining under my command after beino- 
relieved in the rifle-pits by Col. Head's regiment, to make an attack 
upon the right of the enemy's centre, and, if successful, to take up 
a position in advance of our works on the Wynn's ferry road, to 



104: OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

cover the retreat of the whole army ; after which my division was 
to act as the rear guard. 

On Saturday morning, the 15th, a considerable portion of my 
division was delayed by the non-arrival of Head's regiment at the 
appointed time, and by the slippery condition of the icy road which 
forbade a rapid march. My advance regiment, however, the 3d 
Tennessee, reached a position by daylight in rear of a portion of the 
intrenchments which had been occupied by Gen. Pillow's troops. 
As no guards had been left in this portion of the line, and even a 
battery was left in position without a cannoneer, I deployed the 3d 
Tennessee in the rifle-pits to cover the formation of my division as 
it arrived. The regiments were formed, partly in line and partly 
in column, and covered from the enemy's artillery fire by a slight 
acclivity in front. In the mean time the attack on the enemy's right 
was made in the most gallant and determi^ned manner by the divi- 
sion of Gen. Pillow. For the progress of that action, I refer to the 
reports of Col. Baldwin, Col. Gregg, and their subordinate com- 
manders, which have been transmitted to me, as the senior officer 
left with the army. 

In front of my position the enemy had a heavy battery posted on 
the Wynn's ferry road, with another battery opposite my left — both 
sustained by a heavy infantry force. 

Major Davidson, acting chief of my artillery, established Graves' 
battery to the left of the Wynns' ferry road and opened upon the 
enemy's batteries a destructive fire. I also directed a portion of the 
artillery to open upon the flank and left rear of the enemy's infan- 
try, who were contesting the advance of Gen, Pillow's division. In 
view of the heavy duty which I expected my division to undergo in 
covering the retreat of the army, I thought it unadvisable to 
attempt an assault at this time in my front until the enemy's batter- 
ies were, to some extent, crippled, and their supports shaken by the 
fire of my artillery. About 9 o'clock. Gen. Pillow urged an 
advance to relieve his forces. I accordingly sent forward the 14th 
Mississippi, Major Doss, deployed as skirmishers. At the request 
of its comniander, I assigned the direction of its movements to 
Major Alexander Cassidy, of my staff. The line of skirmishers M'as 
sustained by the 3d and 18th Tennessee. Their line of march unfor- 
tunately masked the fire of my artillery upon the Wynn's ferry 
road, but it continued to play with efiect upon the force whicli was 
opposing Gen. Pillow's advance. The combined attack compelled 
the enemy to retire, not, howevei*, without inflicting upon my troops 
considerable loss. Under a misapprehension of instructions, at a 



OFFICIAL KEP0KT8 OF BATTLES. 105 

time Avhen my artillery was directed over the heads of the advanced 
troops upon the enemy's battery, these regiments withdrew without 
panic, but in some confusion, to the trenches, after the enemy's 
infantry had been driven a considerable distance from their position. 

As the enemy's line of retreat was along the Wynn's ferry road, 
I now organized an attack further to my right, up a deep valley 
which led from Heiman's left, in rear of the position occupied by the 
enemy's batteries. 

In order to cover the advance of the infantry column, I directed 
Capt. Porter, with his artillerists, to serve Green's battery, which 
was already in position, and, at the same time, sent a request to 
Col. Heiman to direct Maney's battery to open its fire, while he 
should deploy a line of skirmishers in advance of his position to 
cover the right of the valley. Gen, Pillow was at this time, as I 
afterwards learned, on the heights to my right, occupied by Heiman. 
Maney's, Porter's, and Graves' batteries now opened a cross fire 
upon the enemy's battery and position, soon cripphng some of his 
guns and driving their supports, while the 3d, 18th, and 32d Ten- 
nessee regiments, i;nder their brigade commander. Col. John C. 
Brown, moved steadily up the valley, preceded by their skirmishers, 
who soon became engaged with those of the enemy. This move- 
ment, combined with the brisk fire of three batteries, induced a 
rapid retreaC of the enemy, who abandoned a section of his artil- 
lery. At the same time my infantry were thus penetrating the 
enemy's line of retreat, Forrest, with a portion of his cavalry, 
charged upon their right, while Gen, Pillow's division, under the 
orders of Gen. B. R. Johnson and Col. Baldwin were pressing their 
extreme right about half a mile to the left of this position. 

In this latter movement, a section of Graves' battery participated, 
playing with destructive effect upon the enemy's left, while, about 
the same time, the 2d Kentucky, under Col, Hanson, charged in 
quick time, as if upon parade, through an open field and under a 
destructive fire, without firing a gun, upon a superior force of the 
enemy, who broke and fled in all directions. A large portion of 
the enemy's right dispersed through the woods and made their 
way, as was afterwards learned, to Fort Henry, 

While this movement was going on, I conducted one piece of 
artillery, under Capt. Graves, along the Wynn's ferry road, sup- 
ported by the 14th Mississippi, and sent orders to the residue of 
Graves' battery and Porter's and Jackson's batteries, and Farquhar- 
sou's Tennessee regiment to follow the movement with rapidity, I 
also sent to direct Hanson's regiment to rejoin me. The enemy, in 



106 OFFICIAL EEP0ET8 OF BATTLES. 

his retreat, had now taken wp a strong position on the road beyond 
the point where it crosses the valley. I directed the position to be 
attacked by the 3d, 18th, and 32d Tennessee regiments, the first on 
the left, the others on the right of the road, while Graves' piece 
took position in the road within two hundred and fifty or three 
hundred yards of the enemy's guns. These regiments, under the 
immediate command of Col. Brown, advanced gallantly to the 
attack, while Graves' piece responded with efi^ect to the enemy's 
artillery. Notwithstanding their vast superiority in numbers, the 
enemy were driven, with very heavy loss, from their position, and 
retreated to the right of the Wynn's ferry road, leaving it entirely 
open. In this position I awaited the arrival of my artillery and 
reserves, either to continue the pursuit of the enemy, or to defend 
the position I now held, in order that the army might pass out on 
the forge road, which was now completely covered by the position 
occupied by my division. But Gen. Pillow had prevented my artil- 
lery from leaving the intrenchments, and had ordered Farquharson 
not to join me, and also sent me reiterated orders to return to my 
intrenchments on the extreme right. I was in the act of returning 
to the lines when I met Gen. Floyd, who seemed surprised at the 
order. At his request to know my opinion of the movement, I 
rejjlied that nothing had occurred to change my views of the neces- 
sity of the evacuation of the post, that the road was open, that the 
first part of our purpose was fully accomplished, and I thought we 
should at once avail ourselves of the existing opportunity to regain 
our communications. These seemed to be his own views ; for he 
directed me to halt my troops and remain in position until he should 
have conversed with Gen. Pillow, who was now within the in- 
trenchments. 

After that consultation, he sent me an order to retire within the 
lines, and to repair as rapidly as possible to my former position on 
the extreme right, which was in danger of attack. The enemy 
made no attempt at pursuit. I secured the section of artillery 
which had been captured, and covered my retrogade movement by 
Hanson's and Farquharson's regiments. My troops were already 
much exhausted, but returned as rapidly as possible, a distance of 
two miles, to their positions. But a small portion of my division 
had reached their positions, when a division of the enemy, under 
command of Gen. C. F. Smith, assaulted the extreme right of my 
position, falling upon Hanson's regiment before it had reached its 
rifle-pits. This gallant regiment was necessarily thrown back in 
confusion upon the position of the 18th Tennessee. At this period 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 107 

I reached that position, and, aided by a number of officers, I suc- 
ceeded in hastily forming a line behind the crest of a hill which 
overlooked the detached works which had been seized by the enemy 
before Hanson had been able to throw his regiment into them. The 
enemy advanced gallantly upon this new position, but was repulsed 
with heavy loss. I reinforced this position by other regiments as 
they successively arrived, and by a section of Graves' battery, while 
a section of Porter's battery was placed in its former position. 
During a contest of more than two hours, the enemy threatened 
my left with a heavy column, and made repeated attempts to storm 
ray line on the right, but the well-directed fire of Porter's and 
Graves' artillery, and the musketry fireof the infantry, repelled the 
attempts, and finally drove him to seek shelter behind the works he 
had taken, and amid the irregularities of the ground. There was 
probably Yio period of the action when his force was not from three 
to five times the strength of mine. Towards the close of the action 
I was reinforced by the regiments of Cols. Quarles and Sugg and 
Bailey. Gens. Floyd and Pillow also visited the position about the 
close of the action. 

In a council of general and field ofiicers, held after night, it was 
unanimously resolved, that if the enemy had not reoccupied, in 
strength, the position in front of Gen, Pillow, the army should eifect 
its retreat ; and orders to assemble the regiments for that purpose 
were given by Gen, Floyd. But as the enemy had, late in the after- 
noon, appeared in considerable force on the battle-field of the morn- 
ing, a reconnoissance was ordered, I think by Gen. Pillow, under the 
instructions of Gen. Floyd. The report of this reconnoissance, made 
by Col, Forrest, has been fully stated by Gens, Floyd and Pillow ; 
and from what I have been able to learn since, I am satisfied the 
information reported was correct. Among other incidents, showing 
that the enemy had not only reoccupied their former ground, but 
extended their lines still farther to our left, is the fact that Over- 
ton's cavalry, following after Forrest's, was cut off from retreat by 
an infantry force of the enemy at the point where Forrest had 
crossed the stream on the river road. When the information of 
our reinvestment was reported. Gen, Floyd, Gen, Pillow, and my- 
self, were the only members of the council present. Both of these 
officers have stated the views of the council, but my recollection of 
some of the incidents narrated differs so materially from that of 
Gen. Pillow, that, without intending any reflection upon either of 
those officers, I feel called upon to notice some of the dififerences of 
opinion between us. Both officers have correctly stated that I re- 



108 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

garded the position of the army as desperate, and that an attempt 
to extricate it by another battle, in the suffering and exhausted 
condition of the troops, was almost hopeless. 

The troops had been worn down with watching, with labor, with 
fighting. Many of them were frosted by the intensity of the cold ; 
all of them were suffering and exhausted by their incessant labors. 
There had been no regular issue of rations for a number of days, 
and scarcely any means of cooking. 

Their ammunition was nearly expended. We were completely 
invested by a force fully four times the strength of our own. In 
their exhausted condition, they could not have made a march. An 
attempt to make a sortie would have been resisted by a superior 
force of fresh troops ; and that attempt Avould have been the signal 
for the fall of the water batteries, and the presence of the enemy's 
gunboats sweeping with their fire, at close range, the positions of 
our troops ; who would have been thus assailed on their front, rear, 
and right flank, at the same instant. The result would have been 
a virtual massacre of the troops, more disheartening in its efiects 
than a surrender. 

In this opinion Gen. Floyd coincided ; and I am certain that both 
he and I were convinced that Gen. Pillow agreed with us in opinion. 
General Pillow then asked our opinion as to the practicability of 
holding our position another day. I replied that my right was 
already turned, a portion of my intrenchments in the enemy's j^os- 
session ; they were in position successfully to assail my position and 
the water batteries; and that, with my weakened and exhausted 
force, I could not successfully resist the assault which would be 
made at daylight by a vastly superior force. I further remarked, 
that I understood the principal object of the defence of Donelson 
to be to cover the movement of Gen. A. S. Johnston's army from 
Bowling Green to Nashville, and that if that movement was not 
completed, it was my opinion that we should attempt a further de- 
fence, even at the risk of the destruction of our entire force, as the 
delay even of a few hours might gain the safety of Gen. Johnston's 
force. Gen. Floyd remarked that Gen. Johnston's army had 
already reached Nashville. 

I then expressed the opinion that it would be wrong to subject 
the army to a virtual massacre when no good could result from the 
sacrifice ; and that the general ofiicers owed it to their men, when 
fiirther resistance was unavailing, to obtain the best terms of capitu- 
lation possible for them. Gen. Floyd expressed himself in similar 
terms, and in his opinion I understood Gen. Pillow to acquiesce. 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLFS. 109 

For reasons which he has stated, Gen. Floyd then announced his 
purpose to leave, with such portion of his division as could be 
transported, in two small steamers, which were expected about day- 
light. Gen. Pillow, addressing Gen. Floyd, then remarked that he 
thought there were no two persons in the Confederacy whom the 
" Yankees " would prefer to capture than himself and Gen Floyd, 
and asked the latter's opinion as to the propriety of his accompany- 
ing Gen. Floyd. To this inquiry the latter replied that it was a 
question for every man to decide for himself. Gen. Pillow then 
addressed the inquiry to me, to which I remarked that I could only 
reply as Gen. Floyd had done ; that it was a question for every 
officer to decide for himself, and that in my own case I regarded it 
as my duty to remain with my men and share their fate, whatever 
it might be. 

Gen. Pillow, however, announced his purpose to leave, when Gen. 
Floyd directed me to consider myself in command. I remarked 
that a capitulation would be as bitter to me as it could be to any 
one, but I regarded it as a necessity of our position, and I could not 
reconcile it with my sense of duty to separate my fortunes from 
those of my command. 

It is due to Gen, Pillow to state, that some time after the com- 
mand had been transferred to me, and while preparations were 
making for his departure, he returned to the room and said to Gen. 
Floyd and myself, that he wished it understood that he had thought 
it would have been better to have held the fort another day in 
order to await the arrival of steamers to transport the troops across 
the river. I again recapitulated my reasons for thinking it impos- 
sible to hold our position ; and whatever may have been Gen. 
Pillow's opinion, he certainly impressed me with the belief that he 
again acquiesced in the necessity of a surrender. 

It was now near daylight of Sunday morning, the 16th. I or- 
dered the troops back to their positions in the intrenchments, and 
addressed a note, a copy of which is inclosed, to the Federal com- 
mander, Brig.-gen. U. S. Grant. His reply is also transmitted. 
When it was received, but a small portion of the troops had re- 
turned to their lines. A portion of my field guns had been spiked 
when the troops had been withdrawn under Gen. Floyd's order. 
The gunners had not yet returned to the water batteries. A degree 
of confusion, amounting almost to a state of disorganization, result- 
ing from the knowledge of our position, pervaded a considerable 
portion of the troops. A corps of not less than fifteen thousand of 
the enemy, with fifteen pieces of artillery, were in position to assault 



110 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

the extreme right of the hne, which was efFectnally turned, and the 
water batteries exposed to assault, without the power of resisting 
the attack. At the point most strongly threatened I could not 
have opposed at the time a thousand men. Every road leading 
from the lines was effectually closed. Even the river road, by 
which the cavalry had left, and which was impassable by infantry, 
was closed by a force of the enemy within fifteen minutes after 
Forrest had passed, and Overton's cavalry was forced to return to 
the lines. The troops were broken down by unusual privations. 
Most of them had labored or fought almost incessantly for a week. 
From Thursday morning until Saturday night they had been almost 
constantly under fire. From Thursday evening until Sunday 
morning they had suffered intensely in a heavy snow-storm, and 
from intense cold, almost without shelter, with insufticient food, and 
almost without sleep. They had behaved with a gallantry unsur- 
passed, until the power of further endurance was exhausted. The 
supply of ammunition was very small. The aggregate of the army, 
never greater than twelve thousand, was reduced to less than 
nine thousand men after the departure of Gen. Floyd's brigade. 
The investing force of the enemy was about fifty thousand strong, 
and considerably exceeded that force by the following morning. 
Under these circumstances, no alternative was left me but to accept 
the terms offered by our ungenerous enemy. A copy of the order 
of Gen. Grant, fixing the terms of the surrender, is herewith inclosed. 
I do not seek to avoid any responsibility which, in the judgment 
of the President, may attach to my action, which was guided in 
every instance by a feeling of duty. My chief wish is, that he will 
find it consistent with the public interest to permit me still to unite 
my foi'tunes in the contest for independence with those of the bi-ave 
men whose gallantry I have witnessed, whose dangers and hardships 
I have shared, and in common with whom I have endured the 
privations of imprisonment amongst a vindictive and tyrannical foe. 
I cannot close this report without calling special attention to the 
gallant and able conduct of my brigade commanders. Col. John C. 
Brown, of the 3d Tennessee, and Col. William E. Baldwin, of the 
14th Mississippi, and of Col. R. W. Hanson, commanding the 2d 
Kentucky, detached from Breckinridge's Kentucky brigade. For 
the operations of Col. Baldwin's troops, I refer to his report, as he 
was detached from my command during the siege. But he, as well 
as the other two ofiicers, were conspicuous on every occasion for 
their gallantry and military judgment, and merit the special appro- 
bation of the Government. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. Ill 

Amongst the regimental commanders, Col. J, M. Lillard, and 
Col. E. C. Cook, merit the highest commendation for their gallant 
bearing, and the excellent manner in which they handled their regi- 
ments; and Major W. L. Doss behaved with marked gallantry. 
Major George B. Cosby, my chief of staff, deserves the highest 
commendation for the gallant and intelhgent discharge of his duties; 
and the other members of my staff are entitled to my thanks for 
their gallantry, and for the efficient discharge of their appropriate 
duties : Lieut. Charles F. Johnson, aid-de-camp ; Lieut. T. J, Clay, 
acting aid ; Major Alexander Cassiday, acting inspector general ; 
Major S. K. Hays, quarter-master ; Capt. R. C. Wintersmith, com- 
missary of subsistence ; Major Davidson, chief of artillery ; Mr. J. 
N. Gallaher, acting aid; Mr. Moore, acting topographical officer; 
Mr. J. Walker Taylor, commanding a detachment of guides, and 
Mr. D. P. Buckner, volunteer aid. Major Barbour, A. D. C. to 
Brig.-gen. Tilghman, though wounded, remained with me on the 
13th. I cannot bestow sufficient praise upon Capt. Porter, and 
Capt. Rice E. Graves, and their officers and men, for the gallant 
and efficient handling of their batteries. Artillery was never better 
served, and artillerists never behaved, under trying circumstances, 
with greater coolness. Porter's battery, from its more exposed 
position, lost more than half its gunners ; and its intrepid com- 
mander was severely wounded late in the afternoon of Saturday, 
being succeeded in command by the gallant Lieut. Morton. 

Capt. Jackson's Virginia battery, though not so frequently en- 
gaged, is entitled to notice. 

For an understanding of the particular operations of Gen. Pillow's 
division, I refer you to the reports of his brigade commanders, Col. 
William E. Baldwin, Col. A. Heiman, Col. John Gregg, and to the 
reports of their subordinate commanders. 

Accompanying this report is a list of the strength of my division, 
and of its killed and wounded. My aggregate force at the begin- 
ning of the contests, which was constantly diminishing, did not 
exceed 3025 infantry, and two batteries artillery. Two of my regi- 
ments, in addition, 844 men, were constantly under the command 
of Gen. Pillow. The length of my lines exceeded three- fourths of a 
mile. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, vour obedient servant, 

S. B. BUCKNER, Brig-gen. C. S. A., 
Lately commanding 2d Division Central Army of Kentucky. 
T' General S. Cooper, 

Adjutant and Inspector General., C S. A., Richmond^ Va, 



112 OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLES. 



Correspondence referred to in Gen, Buckner's Report. 

Head-quartees, Fort Donelson, 
February 16th, 1862, 

Sir : — In consideration of all the circumstances governing the 
present situation of affairs at this station, I propose to the com- 
manding officer of the Federal forces the appointment of commis- 
sioners to agree upon terms of capitulation of the forces and post 
under my command, and in that view suggest an armistice until 
12 o'clock to-day. 

I am, sir, very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed,) S. B. BUCKNER, 

Brig.-gen. C. S. A. 
To Brig.-gen. U. S. Grant, 

Commanding U. S. Forces near Fort DoneUon. 



Reply of Gen. Ch'ant to a proposal for an Armistice. 

Head-quarters Army in the Field, 

Camp near Donelson, February 16, 1862. 
Gen. S. B. Buckner, 

Confederate Army : 

Sir : — Yours of this date, proposing armistice and appointment 
of commissioners to settle terms of cajDitulation, is just received." 

No terms, except unconditional and immediate surrender, can be 
accepted. I propose to move immediately upon your works. 
I am, sir, very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

U. S. GRANT, 

Brig.-gen. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 113 

[Copy.] 
Reply of Gen. Buckner to Gen. U. S. Grant. 

Head-quarters 
Dover, Tenn., Feb. 16, 1862. 
To Bi-ig-gen. U. S. Grant, U. S. A.: 

Sir : — The distribution of the forces under my command, inci- 
dent to an unexpected change of commanders, and the overwhehn- 
ing force under your command, compel me, notwithstanding the 
brilliant success of the Confederate arms yesterday, to accept the 
ungenerous and unchivalrous terms which you propose. 
I am, sir, your obedient servant, 
(Signed) S. B. BUCKNER, 

Brig-gen. C. S. A. 



Agreement of Geyi. Grant to alloio officers taken at Bonelson to re- 
tain their side-arms^ cdc, c&c. 

Head-quarters Army in the Field, 

Fort Donelson, Feb. 16, 1862. 
Special Order. 

All prisoners taken at the surrender of Fort Donelson will be 
collected as rapidly as practicable near the village of Dover, under 
their respective company and regimental commanders, or in such 
manner as may be deemed best by Brig-gen, S. B. Buckner, and 
will receive two days' rations, preparatory to embarking for Cairo. 
Prisoners are to be allowed their clothing, blankets, and such 
private property as may be carried about the person, and commis- 
sioned officers will be allowed their .side-arms. 

By order U. S. GRANT, 

Brig-gen. 

Report of Lieut.-col. J. P. Gilmer, Chief Engineer, upon 
the defence .of Forts Henry and Donelson. 

Engineer's Office, 
Decatur, Ala., March 17, 1862. 
Col. W. W. Mackall, a. a. General, 

Western Department, Decatur, Ala. : 
CoL. : — In obedience to Gen. Johnston's orders of January 29th, 
received at Nashville, I j^roceeded the next day to Fort Donelson 
and thence to Fort Henry, to inspect the works and direct what 
was necessary to be done at both. 

8 



Hi . . OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

I arrived at Fort Henry the afternoon of the 31st, when I met 
Briir-gen, Tilfirhman, commandincc the defences on the Tennessee 
and Cumberland rivers. By the exertions of the commanding 
general, aided by Lieut. Jos. Dixon, his engineer officer, the main 
fort (a strong field-work of fine bastion front) had been put in a good 
condition for defence, and seventeen guns mounted on substantial 
platforms ; twelve of which were so placed as to bear well on the 
river. These twelve guns were of the following description : One 
ten-inch columbiad, one rifled gun of 24-pounder calibre (weight 
of ball 62 lbs.), two 42-pounders, and eight 32-pounders, all ar- 
ranged to fire through embrasures formed by raising the parapet 
between the guns with sand-bags, carefully laid. 

In addition to placing the main work in good defensive order, I 
found that extensive lines of infantry cover had been thrown up by 
the troops forming the garrison, with a view to hold commanding 
ground that would be dangerous to the fort if possessed by the 
enemy. 

These lines and the main work were on the right hand of the 
river, and arranged with good defensive relations, making the j^lace 
capable of ofiering a strong resistance against a land attack coming 
from the eastward. 

On the left bank of the river there was a number of hills within 
cannon range, that commanded the river batteries on the right 
bank. 

The necessity of occupying these hills was a^Dparent to me at the 
time I inspected Fort Heni-y, early in November last, and on the 
21st of that month, Lieut. Dixon, the local engineer, was ordered 
from Fort Donelson to Fort Henry, to make the necessary surveys, 
and construct the additional works. He was at the same time in- 
formed that a large force of slaves, with troops to protect them, 
from Alabama, would report to him for the work, which was to be 
pushed to completion as early as possible. 

The surveys were made by the engineer, ^nd plans decided upon 
without delay, but by some unforeseen cause the negroes were not 
sent until after the 1st of January last. Much valuable time was 
thus lost, but under your urgent ordei's, when informed of the delay, 
Geu. Tilghman and his engineers pressed these defences forward so 
rapidly, night and day, that when I reached the fort (31st January 
last), they were far advanced, requiring only a few days' additional 
labor to put them in a state of defence. But no guns had been re- 
ceived that could be put in these works, except a few field-pieces ; 
and, notwithstanding every efibrt had been made to procure them 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 115 

from Richmond, Memphis, and other points, it was apprehended they 
would not arrive in time to anticipate the attack of the enemy, 
which, from the full information obtained by Gen. Tilghman, was 
threatened at an early day either at Fort Henry or Fort Douelson, 
or possibly on both at the same time. The Unes of infantry cover, 
however, which had been thrown \ip were capable of making a 
strong resistance, even without the desired artillery, should the 
attack be made on that (the left) bank of the river. Experimental 
firing with the 10-inch columbiad, mounted in main work, showed 
a defect in the cast-iron carriage and chapis, which threatened to 
impair the usefulness of this most important gun. With the ordinary 
charge of sixteen pounds of powder, the recoil was so great as to 
cause most violent shocks against the rear heuster, threatening each 
time to dismount the piece. With the aid of an ingenious mechanic, 
clamjjs were finally made which served to resist, in some degree, the 
violence of the recoil. With this exception, the guns bearing on the 
river were in fair working order. 

After the batteries of the main work were mounted, Gen. Tilgh- 
man found much difficulty in getting competent artillerists to man 
them, and he was not supplied with a sufficient number of artillery 
officers. 

Impressed with the great deficiency in the preparations for de- 
fending the passage of the river at Fort Henry, the commanding 
officer exjjressed to me his fears that it might cause disaster if the 
place were vigorously attacked by the enemy's gunboats. This he 
thought his greatest danger. 

In conjunction with Gen. Tilghman, I made every effort during 
the three days I remained at Fort Henry to get all the works and 
batteries in as good condition for defence as the means at hand 
would permit. The 3d of February we went over to Fort Donelson 
to do the same. The works there required additions to prevent 
the enemy from occupying grounds dangerous to the river batteries 
and the field-work, which had been constructed for the immdiate 
defence landward. 

It was also important that better protection should be made for 
the heavy guns (mounted for the defence of the river) by raising 
the parapet with sand-bags between the guns to give greater pro- 
tection to the gunners. 

The 3d and 4th days of February were devoted to making pre- 
parations for this work, and locating lines of infantry cover on the 
commanding ground around the fort. 

In the midst of these labors on the 4th, heavy firing was heard in 



116 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

the direction of Fort Henry, which warned Gen, Tilghman that the 
enemy had made his attack upon that work. This was soon con- 
firmed by a report from Col. Heiman to the effect that the gunboats 
had opened fire, and that troops were being landed on the right 
bank of the river, three and a half to four miles below the fort. The 
general decided to return to the Tennessee river at once, and ex- 
pressed, with some anxiety, a wish that I would accompany him. I 
finally took the responsibility of doing so, with the hope that my 
professional services might possibly prove useful during the defence. 
On arriving at Fort Henry, we found the enemy had landed addi- 
tional troops below, and that every preparation was being made to 
attack by land and water. 

The necessary dispositions for defence were at once entered upon, 
by making a special organization of the troops, and assigning com- 
mands to the officers. 

Early the next morning, 5th February, the troops were drawn 
out under arms, and marched to the respective points each body 
was to defend — this, with a view to insure order in case it became 
necessary to form promptly in face of the enemy. The main body 
of the forces was assigned to the defence of the advanced lines of 
infantry cover, where they were in a measure beyond the range of 
shot and shell from the gunboats, and the troops inside of the main 
fort were to be limited to the men who had received some instruc- 
tions in the use of heavy guns, and such additional force as could be 
useful in bringing uj) full supplies of ammunition. Those assigned 
to the fort were practised at the battery, under the immediate 
supervision of the commanding officer, and each one taught, with as 
much care as possible, his duty in anticipation of the threatened 
attack. 

In such preparations the day was consumed, and it was only at 
niglitfall that the trooj^s were relieved, to seek food and rest ; it 
being quite apparent that the enemy would not attack until next 
day. 

ATTACK ON FOKT HENRY, GXH FEBKUARY, 1862. 

During the early part of the day, preparations of the enemy, for 
an advance with his gunboats, could be observed from the fort — 
also, the movements of troops at their encampments along the bank 
of the river below — making it evident that we were to be attacked 
by land as well as by water. 

About half-past 11 o'clock, one of the gunboats had reached the 
head of the island, about one and a third miles below our batteries, 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 117 

f.notlier soon followed, then a third, and a fourth — all coming as 
nearly abreast as the width of the river would permit. As soon as 
this line was formed, a rapid fire was opened upon our works (about 
half-past 12 o'clock), which was returned with spirit by our gunners, 
who were all at their places, eager for the contest. In a short time 
after, the rifled cannon burst, killing three of the men at the piece, 
and disabling a number of others. 

The eifect of this explosion was very serious upon our artillerists 
— first, because it made them doubt the strength of these large 
guns to resist the shock of full charges — and secondly, because much 
was expected from the long range of rifled cannon against the 
gunboats. Still, all stood firmly to their work, under a most ter- 
rific fire from the advancing foe, whose approach was steady and 
constant. 

From the rear of their lines a fifth gunboat was observed to be 
firing curvated shot, many of which fell within the work, but to the 
rear of our guns ; many shot and shell were lodged in the parapet, 
making deep penetrations, but in no case passing through, unless 
they struck the cheek of an embrasure. One of the 32-pounder 
guns was struck by a heavy shell passing through the embrasure. 
All the gunners at this piece were disabled, and the gun rendered 
unfit for service. 

About the same moment, a premature discharge occurred at one 
of the 42-pounder guns, causing the death of three men, and seri- 
ously injuring the chief of the piece and others. 

Not many moments later, it was observed that the 10-inch colum- 
biad was silent ; the cause of which was at once examined into by 
Gen, Tilghman, and it was found that the priming wire had been 
jammed and broken in the vent. A blacksmith (I regret I cannot 
recall the name of the gallant soldier) was sent for, and he labored 
with great coolness for a long time, exposed to the warmest fire oi 
the enemy, but in spite of his faithful and earnest eflforts, the broken 
wire remained in the vent, making this important gun unservice- 
able for the continued contest. By this time the gunboats, by a 
steady advance, had reached positions not over six or seven hun- 
dred yards from the foi't. Our artillerists became very much dis- 
couraged when they saw the two heavy guns disabled, the enemy's 
boats apparently uninjured, and still drawing nearer and nearer. 
Some of them even ceased to work the 32-pounder guns, under the 
belief that such shot were too liglit to produce any effect upon the 
iron-clad sides of the enemy's boats. 

Seeing this, Gen. Tilghman did every thing that it was possible 



118 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

to do to encourage and urge his men to further efforts. He assisted 
to serve one of the pieces himself for at least fifteen minutes ; but 
his men were exhausted, had lost all hope, and there were none 
others to replace them at the guns. Finally, after the firing had 
continued about an hour and five minutes, but two guns from our 
batteries responded to the rapid firing of the enemy, whose shots 
were telling with effect upon our parapets. It was then suggested 
to the general that all was lost, unless he could replace the men at 
the guns by others who were not exhausted. He replied — " I shall 
not give uj) the work," and then made an effort to get men from 
the outer lines to continue the struggle. Failing in this, he sent 
instructions to the commanders of the troops in the exterior lines 
to withdraw their forces. As soon as this movement was com- 
menced, confusion among the retiring troops followed — many think- 
ing it intended for a rapid retreat to escape from the enemy's 
forces, expected to approach from the point of landing below. A 
few moments later the flag was lowered. 

From information received, the strength of the enemy was esti- 
mated at nine thousand men. These forces were advancing to cut 
off the communications with Fort Donelson. Probably the move- 
ment would have proved a success, had the garrison remained a few 
hours longer. 

Our force at Fort Henry was about 3200, of -which less than 100 
■were surrendered with the fort. 

The fall of Fort Henry, and the power of the enemy to strike at 
once, with an immense force, at Fort Donelson, made it necessary 
that the army at Bowling Green should be withdrawn to a point 
which would secure a prompt passage to the Cumberland river. 
The vicinity of Nashville seemed the proper position. If the enemy 
were defeated at Donelson, with prompt reinforcements, there was 
still a hope that your army might resist the invader, and defend 
that city ; if Donelson fell, it could be promptly passed to the south 
bank of the river. 

• 

DEFENCE OF FORT DONELSON. 

The capture of Fort Henry was, for the enemy, a great success, 
which, it was felt, would embolden him to make an early attack 
upon Fort Donelson. 

To meet this, every effort was made to strengthen the defences. 
Lines of infantry cover were laid out on commanding grounds 
around the place, and fatigue parties were daily employed in their 
construction. To aid the local engineer in the work of defence, I 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 119 

remained at the fort the 7th, 8th, and 9th of February, when Gen. 
Pillow took command of the whole. At his request, I asked and 
received authority to remain and aid in the defence. 

Immediately on his arrival, the general took active measures to 
inform himself as to the character of the defences, and had the ad- 
ditional works pressed forward with the greatest activity. Having 
received reinforcements, and others being expected daily, the lines 
of infantry cover were extended so as to embrace the town of 
Dover, where many of our munitions were stored. The time for 
these works being decided upon, they were at once pressed to 
completion, and the batteries for the defence of the river strength- 
ened. 

By the night of the 12th these were in readiness, and the heavy 
guns recently received at the fort were mounted. To provide an 
ample force of artillerists to work the heavy guns, through a long- 
continued attack, Gen. Pillow detailed Capt. R. R. Ross, and his 
company of well-drilled men from his battery, to aid in the river 
defence. The selection of this officer and his command proved 
most fortunate, as in the obstinate attack that was made by the 
gunboats they- performed noble and effective service. 

Brig.-gen Buckner arrived at Fort Donelson on the afternoon of 
the 12th. 

In the mean time, the enemy had landed in large force on the 
bank of the river below, and other troops were brought over from 
Fort Henry. The smoke of his gunboats was seen in the distance, 
warning us that a combined attack was to be expected. Skirmishes 
were frequent between our pickets and the enemy's forces advancing 
to meet us. 

On the 13th the besiegers opened, with artillery, upon our land 
defences; and their sharpshooters annoyed our men constantly 
whenever exposed above the infantry covers, as at the field bat- 
teries. One of the gunboats commenced firing upon the river bat- 
teries early in the day, throwing shot and shell at long range. 

The sanie morning Gen. Floyd arrived with reinforcements, in- 
cluding three batteries of field-artillery, which were placed in posi- 
tion as promptly as possible. The enemy's fires were kept up 
throughout the day, and responded to with spirit by our aitillery 
and infantry. In the afternoon an attempt was made to storm the 
intrenchments on the heights near our centre, but failed — the as- 
sailants being handsomely repulsed. One of Ae guns in the river 
batteries was struck by a heavy shot from the gunboat, disabling 
the carriage and killing Lieut. Joseph Dixon, the local engineer 



120 OFFICIAL REPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

officer. Our total loss during the day was considerable, but I am 
unable to report numbers. 

The contest of the day closed. The enemy had gained no foot- 
ing on our works, or produced any important impression upon them. 
But our forces were much fatigued, having been under arms all 
day, and this after three or four days' hard labor upon the intrench 
raents. To add to their sufferings it turned suddenly cold in the 
afternoon, and, at dark, commenced snowing and continued the 
greater part of the night. Inclement as was the weather, it was 
necessary (to guard against surprise) that the troops should be all 
night in position along the lines of infantry cover. The next day, 
the 14th, the besiegers brought up large reinforcements, just landed 
from numerous transports, and extended their lines, in great 
strength, towards their right, enveloping our extreme left. They 
took positions that placed it in their power to plant batteries on the 
river bank above, and cut off our communications. Such appeared 
to be their design. In consequence of these movements the firing 
of the enemy was less frequent than on the previous day. 

Early on this afternoon the gunboats were observed to be ad- 
vancing to attack the river batteries, and at 3 o'clock a vigorous 
fii'e was opened from five boats approaching enchelon. Our gunners 
reserved their fire until the gunboats had come within effective 
range, and then at a signal, every gun was fired — twelve in number. 
This fire told with great effect, penetrating the iron sides of the 
boats. The firing now became terrific — the enemy still advancing. 
In rear of the five boats first engaged, a sixth was reported throw- 
ing curvated shot, which passed over our works, exploding in the 
air just above. After some time, one of the boats was seen to pull 
back, probably disabled by our shot. The others continued to ad- 
vance, keeping up a rapid fire. 

Our batteries were well served and responded with great effect, 
disabling, as it was believed, two more of the gunboats. The en- 
gagement lasted until ten minutes after 4 o'clock, the gunboats 
having approached to within three hundred or four hundred yards 
of our guns, when they withdrew from the contest. Our batteries 
were uninjured, and not a man in them killed. 

The repulse of the gunboats closed the operations of the day, ex- 
cept a few scattering shot along the land defences. It was evident, 
howevei-, from the movements of numerous bodies of troops around 
our lines, that the enemy had resolved to invest us, and, when pre- 
pared, to attack us in overwhelming numbers, or press us to a capit- 
ulation by cutting off supplies and reinforcements. 

Gens. Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner, met in council soon after 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 121 

dark ; I was present. After an interchange of views, it was decided 
to attack the enemy on his extreme right and riglit-centre, at 5 
o'clock in the morning. It was beheved that the enemy might be 
driven back and an opportunity secured to withdraw in safety our 
forces; that possibly greater advantages might be gained by the at- 
tack, which, if well followed up on our part, would result in disaster 
to the invaders. 

This being decided upon, the brigade commanders were at once 
sent for, and the positions for their respective commands in the order 
of attack assigned. Brig.-gen. Pillow was to direct the movement 
against the right of the enemy, Brig.-gen. Buckner, that against 
his right-centre, advancing along the Wynn's ferry road. A few 
regiments were to remain to guard the lines. 

About 5 o'clock next morning (the 15th) the left wing, under 
Gen. Pillow, moved to the attack. Brisk fires were opened and 
kept up by the enemy, and responded to with spirit from our lines, 
his men generally overshooting, while ours were constantly warned 
to aim low. 

The enemy's fire, after some time, extended towards their extreme 
right, indicating a design to turn our left. To meet this, a body of 
troops, under Brig.-gen. B. S. Johnson, made a flank movement and 
met the foe. After a long struggle, the enemy finally gave way, at 
first falling back slowly. Our troops pressed forwai'd, and about 
half-past 9 o'clock, his right wing was in full retreat. Now, the 
cavalry on our extreme left was brought up and charged with eftect 
on the retreating enemy. Six field-pieces were captured at diiferent 
points, and, at a later hour of the day, brought within the 
line of intrenchments. Our success against the right wing was 
complete. 

I now accompanied Gen. Pillow across the field to the point of 
attack assigned to Gen. Buckner's division. On our arrival there, 
his division was in rear of the lines of infantry covers, the general 
and his ofiicers encouraging the troops to renew the attack on the 
enemy, who still held position in their front. Gen. Buckner stated, 
that he had, soon after the firing of Gen. Pillow's forces was heard, 
opened on the enemy with artillery, and followed it up by sending 
forward two of his best regiments to the assault, that they moved 
forward over the infantry covers with spirit, and advanced steadily 
and in order against the enemy. They were soon exposed to heavy 
fires of small-arms, and of a field-battery planted in their front ; and 
they responded well for some time to the volleys of the besiegers, 
but finally their ranks were thrown into confusion, and they fell 
back rapidly in rear of our intrenchments. Gen. Buckner continued 



122 OFFICIAL KEP0BT8 OF BATTLES. 

to encourage his men, feeling that a little time was necessary to 
overcome the dispiriting effects of the repulse earlier in the day. 
In the mean time, the fires of our left wing were heard steadily ad- 
vancing, driving the enemy back upon his right-centre. This was 
referred to with encouraging effect upon Gen. Buckner's division. 
Artillery fires were kept up against the enemy in his front, and soon 
afterwards he moved forward with his division to renew the attack. 
The enemy being now pressed in front of his centre by this ad- 
vance, and on his right flank by the pursuing forces of Gen. Pillow's 
division, retreated rapidly for some distance towards his left wing ; 
but, receiving heavy reinforcements, the pursuit was checked, and 
finally the retreating foe made a firm stand, opening from a field- 
battery, strongly supported by masses of infantry. 

About one o'clock an order was given by Gen, Pillow, recalling 
our forces to the defensive lines. Our forces having returned, they 
were ordered to the positions they occupied the day previous, 
involving a march of over a mile for the troops on the extreme 
rifht. The enemy at the same time advanced with his reinforce- 
ments to attack that flank, and by a prompt movement succeeded 
in effecting a lodgment within the lines just as our exhausted forces 
arrived. 

A vigorous attempt to dislodge him failed, and at length our men, 
having suffered much, fell back, leaving him in possession of that 
portion of our defences. The advantage gained by the enemy 
placed him in position to assault our right in full force with his 
fresh troops next morning. Such was the condition of affairs when 
the darkness of night closed the bloody struggle of the day. In 
course of the night Gens. Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner met in coun- 
cil. I was not present. 

The following morning about 3 o'clock I was told by Gen. Pil- 
low that a surrender had been decided on. He invited me to join 
himself and staff, as they were not included in the proposed surren- 
der. This I accepted and accompanied him to Clarksville and 
Nashville, where I had the honor to report to you in person. 

From information received, the strength of the enemy at Donel- 
son was estimated to be about fifty thousand. Our effective force 
was about fifteen thousand. 

The surrender at Fort Donelson made Nashville untenable by 
the forces under your command. Situated in a wide basin, inter- 
sected by a navigable river in possession of the invader — approached 
from all directions by good turnpike-roads, and surrounded by 
commanding hills, involving works of not less than twenty miles in 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 123 

extent, the city could not be held by a force less than fifty thous- 
and. With all the reinforcements to be hoped for, your army 
could not be raised to that number before the place would have been 
attacked by heavy forces of the enemy, both by land and water. 
The alternative was to withdraw to the interior of the State of 
Tennessee. 

(Signed) J. F. GILMER, 

Xieut.-col. and Chief Engineer^ Western Department. 



Report of G. C Wharton, commanding First Brigade. 

Head-quarters 1st Brigade, Floyd's Division, 
Camp near Murfreesboro', Tenn., Feb. 22, 1862. 

Brig.-gen, JoiA" B. Floyd: 

Sir : — I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
participation of this brigade in the engagement at Fort Donelson : 

The advance of the brigade, the 51st regiment Virginia Volun- 
teers, reached Dover, one mile from the fort, about lip. m., on 
Friday, the Vth, and immediately reported to Brig.-gen. B. R. 
Johnson, who was then in command, and was ordered to encamp 
near the wharf. About 4 p. m., on the 8th, the 56th regiment Vir- 
ginia Volunteers arrived, and was ordered to encamp near the 51st. 
From Saturday to "Wednesday following there was skirmishing 
between our cavalry pickets and the enemy. On Wednesday our 
pickets were driven in, and the enemy reported advancing in force ; 
the brigade was then ordered to take position on the left of Brig.- 
gen. Buckner's division, and near the centre of our line of defence. 
Soon after taking position the enemy commenced to throw shot and 
shell, which did no execution ; Capt. Porter's battery was then or- 
dered to take the position which had been assigned to this brigade, 
and we were ordered to the support of the left wing, commanded 
by Brig.-gen. Johnson. We were engaged during the evening and 
night in constructing breastworks and rifle-j^its ; during Thursday 
we wejre under a heavy fire from the enemy's batteries. There 
were also frequent engagements with the infantry, in all of which 
the enemy were repelled. 

Thursday night we remained again in the ditches ; on I< riday 
there was skirmishing with the infantry and sharpshooters, and oc- 
casionally sharp firing from the batteries. On Friday evening oc 



124 OFFICIAL REPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

curred the terrific cannonading between tlie gunboats and the fort, 
some of the shells from the boats exploding in and near om- lines, 
but doing no injury. On Saturday morning, at 4 a. m., the brigade 
was withdrawn from the ditches and placed in line by order of 
Brig.-gen. Pillow, to make an attack on the enemy's extreme right 
flank. Col. Baldwin's brigade was placed in advance ; this brigade 
followed next ; about 6 o'clock the column was put in motion. We 
had scarcely passed beyond the line of our defence when the skir- 
mishers of Col. Baldwin's brigade engaged the enemy's pickets. 
In a few minutes the engagement became general ; we were then 
ordered to deploy and advance, which was done with spirit and 
promptness. The enemy, after a very obstinate resistance, was 
forced to retire, but were either rallied or reinforced on the several 
ridges from which they were again and again driven. Our men, 
cheering as they charged, pursued them nearly two miles, when 
orders were received that we should retire to our intrenchments. 
The brigade was very much exhausted, having bee# under fire or 
in the ditches for more than four days. The loss of the 51st was 
9 killed, 43 wounded, and 5 missing ; of the 56th, 3 men were 
killed, 37 wounded, and 115 missing. Lieut.-col. J. W. Massie 
commanded the 51st regiment. His bearing was most chivalric 
and gallant. Capt. G. W. Davis gallantly led the 56th regiment. 
Lieut, August Vosberg, attached to the brigade as engineer ofiicer, 
rendered very efiicient service in rallying and leading the men, and 
throughout the day distinguished himself for gallantry and acts of 
daring. To mention the many individual instances of heroism and 
darino- would too much lengthen this report ; therefore, suffice it to 
say, that all the officers and men of both regiments behaved with 
commendable coolness and bravery. 

Capt. S. H, Newberry, Lieuts. Henderson and Painter, of the 51st, 
were wounded ; Capt. D, C. Harrison was mortally wounded whilst 
leading his men to a charge. Lieuts, Ferguson and Haskins were 
also wounded. A number of improved arms were captured and 
brought to camp. 

On Sunday morning, the 16th, the brigade was ordered from 
Fort Donelson to Nashville, where valuable service was rendered in 
guarding and shipping government stores. 

Thursday, the 20th, the brigade was ordered to this place, where 
we are now in camp. 

Respectfully submitted, 

G. C. WHARTON, 
Colond commanding Brigade. 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 125 



Report of Colonel John McCausland, commanding 
Second Brigade. 

Head-quarters Second Brigade, Floyd's Division, 

MuRPREESBORO', TENNESSEE, February 23. 

Brigadier-general John B. Floyd : 

Sir: I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
action of this brigade, on the 13th, 14th, and 15th of February, 
1862, in the engagement near Fort Donelson, between the Con- 
federate States forces and United States forces under Gen. Grant. 
On the morning of the 13th I received your orders to proceed at 
once from Cumberland City to Fort Donelson, where we arrived at 
daylight, and were at once ordered to the trenches. This brigade 
was posted as a support to Green's battery on the left wing. During 
the entire day the enemy kept up an incessant fire of shot and 
shell upon the battery and its support ; the men and oiEcers behaved 
well under the circumstances, and §oon became accustomed to the 
firing. There were five men wounded during the day. On the 
14th there was continued skirmishing with artillery and musketry. 
About 2 o'clock, p. m., the gunboats commenced a heavy bombard- 
ment of the fort, the shells passing over and taking the line of 
works in reverse, and many passing over and through this brigade ; 
however, we suifered no loss, and gathered several large shells (64's, 
I think). About dark, another battery was posted in front of our 
position, and during the night it was placed behind a good earth- 
work, thrown up by the men. About midnight, I received orders 
to concentrate my brigade near the left wing, which was done 
promptly, and at daylight of the morning of the 15th, the column 
under Gen. Pillow sallied from the left and engaged the enemy in a 
short space of time. 

This brigade was a reserve for Col. Baldwin's brigade, but the 
enemy pressing his right, I at once moved up to his support and 
engaged the enemy posted in thick undergrowth and a rough and 
rolling country. I ordered the firing to commence as soon as the 
enemy was in sight. They were advancing just in front of the 36th 
Virginia regiment. They, in a short time were checked, and then 
I ordered a charge upon them ; the men came up with a shout and 
charged the enemy, routed him, and pursued him for two miles, 
when we were called back by order of Gen. Pillow. The 36th Vii-- 



12 G OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

ginia regiment had 14 killed and 46 wounded. On Sunday morning 
this brigade was ferried across the river, and are now arriving at 
this camp. Lieut.-col. Ried was wounded about the 'close of the 
action. He and Major Smith behaved gallantly during the day ; in 
fact, men and officers all behaved well. We captured one field-gun 
and 200 Enfield muskets. 

I am, sir, very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

JOHN McCAUSLAND, 
commanding Second Brigade. 



Report of Col. W. E, Baldwin, commanding Second 

Brigade. 

FoKT Wareen, Boston Harbor, 
March 12th, 1862. 
Major George B. Crosby, 

A. A. General: 

Sir : — Left by Gen. Buckner at Cumberland City, on the 11th ot 
February. On the night of the 12th instant, I received orders by 
telegraph from Brig.-gen. Pillow, commanding at Fort Donelson, to 
hasten to that place with two regiments of my command. The 26th 
Tennessee, Col. Lillard, and the 26th Mississippi, Col. Reynolds, 
were immediately embarked and arrived at Dover about 1 o'clock 
in the morning of Thursday, the 13th. These regiments were at 
first posted immediately on the left of the centre of our lines of rifle 
trenches, as a support to one of our batteries. This disposition was 
changed after daylight the same morning ; the 26th Mississippi 
being placed in the trenches on the extreme left, and the 26th Ten- 
nessee placed in reserve as a support to the former. 

About 9 o'clock, a, m., the enemy commenced a brisk artillery fire, 
apparently on our whole line. This fire, kept up with but little 
intermission throughout the entire day, produced but little efiect 
upon the left until late in the evening, when, the enemy having re- 
duced his charges, several of the shells, which had previously passed 
too high, fell in our midst, mortally wounding one man and slightly 
wounding two others in Col. Lillard's regiment. 

On the 4th the fire was not renewed. About noon, Gen. Pillow 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 127 

directed the left Aving to be formed in the open ground to the left 
and rear of our position in the lines, for the purpose, apparently, of 
attacking the enemy's right. My command, to which the 20th 
Mississippi, Major Brown, was temporarily attached, constituted the 
advance, in the following order: 1st, the 26th MississijJiji ; 2d, the 
26th Tennessee ; 3d, the 20th Mississippi. 

Formed in column by platoon, we- advanced in a road leading 
from a point about two hundred yards from the left of our trenches, 
and approaching, nearly perpendicularly, the enemy's right. We 
had proceeded not more than one-fourth of a mile, when Gen. Pillow 
ordered a countermarch, saying that it was too late in the day to 
accomplish any thing ; and we returned to our former position in the 
lines. 

Late that night commanders of brigades were summoned to a 
council at Gen. Pillow's head-quarters, where, after being duly ad- 
vised of our perilous situation, enveloped by a largely superior force, 
which was being constantly increased, and our communications 
already at the mercy of the enemy, it was unanimously detei'mined 
to endeavor to extricate the army by a bold and vigorous attack 
on the right of the Federal lines early on the morrow. 

The regiments composing our left wing were to form at 4 
o'clock, A. M., on the same ground and in the same order as on the 
previous evening, and to advance, under command of Gen. Pillow, to 
attack the extreme right of the enemy, supposed to be posted in 
force at a distance of one and a half or two miles. 

This movement was to be supported by our right wing under 
Gen. Buckner, who was to move from the lines at a later period, fol- 
low up the first blow, and, should the combined movement not 
prove successful in creating a panic in the enemy's ranks, a way 
might at least be opened by turning his I'ight for the egress of our 
whole foi'ce. In anticipation of thus attempting our escape, the 
men were directed to take knapsacks, blankets, and all the rations 
that could be immediately provided. 

Precisely at 1 minutes past 4 o'clock on the morning of Satur- 
day, the 15th, Gen. Pillow arrived on the ground, and found my 
three regiments, which were to constitute the advance, formed and 
ready to march. Some delay was caused by regiments not ai'riving 
promptly, and it was 6 o'clock before the column was put in motion. 
Marching by the right flank in a narrow and obstructed by-road, the 
head of the column had advanced not more than one-third of a mile, 
when, ascending a slight elevation, the advanced guard, composed of 
a company of the 26 th Mississippi deployed, was fired upon by what 



128 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

was supposed at first to be only the enemy's pickets. A second com- 
pany of the same regiment was immediately thrown forward to sup- 
port the first ; but both were soon driven back by a brisk and weU- 
sustained fire, which indicated the presence of considerable force. 
Meanwhile the column was formed by company, and the leading 
regiment deployed into line to the right. This method of forming 
line of battle was rendered advisable by the peculiar features of the 
ground, which sloped gently to the right, thickly covered with tim- 
ber. About ten yards to the left of the road, and running nearly 
parallel, was a fence, which bounded on that side an open field of 
some 400 or 500 acres extent. This field afibrded no protection to 
our troops if brought " forward into line," but would expose them, 
in executing the movement, to a destructive fire, should the enemy 
have taken advantage of the position. 

In executing the deployment, the 26th Mississippi was three times 
thrown into confusion by the close and rapid fire of the enemy 
taking the men in flank, and three times were they rallied, finish- 
ing the movement some fifty yards to the rear, and a little to the 
right of the exact point where their line should have been placed. 
The subsequent conduct of this regiment fully demonstrates the 
fact that any other than forward movements are extremely danger- 
ous with volunteers, for during the remainder of the day both offi- 
cers and men behaved with great coolness and gallantry. 

The 26th Tennessee was then- brought forward, and five com- 
panies deployed so as to occupy the space between the fence on the 
left, and the 26th Mississippi on the right, leaving the remaining 
five companies in column in the road to strengthen that point, which 
would evidently become the centre and pivot of operations. 

Soon after this disposition was completed, a staff officer having 
been sent to advise Gen. Pillow that the enemy was before us in 
force, other regiments were sent forward from the rear of the 
column to right and left. Col, McCausland, of Virginia, with his 
command, formed on the right of the 26th Mississippi; the 1st Mis- 
sissippi, Col. Gregg's Texas, and Lieut.-col. Lyon's 8th Kentucky 
regiments were formed still farther to our right, the latter regiment 
thrown back perpendicularly to our line, to prevent the enemy 
taking advantage of the cover affiarded by the slope of the ground 
to turn our right. 

The 20th Mississippi was sent into action, as I have since leam'^d, 
by direct order of Gen. Pillow, and caused to take i:)osition in the 
field on the left, where they were openly exposed to a destructive 
fire, which they were not able to return with etifect. The regiment 



OFFICIAL KErORTS OF BATTLES. Iij9 

was soon recalled, but not before its left wing had suffered heavy 
loss. Our line advanced some 50 or 100 yards up the slope, and 
remained stationary for more than an hour, the position of the 
enemy being so well chosen and covered, that it seemed impossible 
to gain an inch of ground. A small detachment of Virginia troops 
on the left of the 26th Tennessee, and in the open field, twice en- 
deavored to gain ground forward to a point wliere their fire could 
be effective, but were unable to stand the destructive effect of the 
minie-balls. 

At this juncture the 20th Mississippi again came up across the 
field, and took possession, slightly covered by an irregularity of the 
ground. 

Observing a regiment or more of our troops posted inactive some 
300 or 400 yards still more to our left, where the shallow ravine 
(which covered our front) spread out and was lost in the plain, I 
requested the commanding officer to throw forward his left, and 
advance up the hollow in a direction nearly parallel to our line of 
battle, and attacking the enemy's right flank. This movement 
being supported by the whole line — all the regiments on the left 
throwing forward their left wings — we succeeded in executino- a 
change of fVont to the right, turning the right of the enemy, and 
driving him at once from his position. 

Up to this time our condition was one of extreme peril, and noth- 
ing but the native gallantry of troops, brought forth the first time 
under heavy fire, and the extraordinary exertions of many of the 
field and company officers, saved -us from being thrown back in con- 
fusion into our trenches, ' 

From this time, the enemy were slowly driven from each posi- 
tion, which the ground, favorable for defence, enabled them to take. 
Two sections of artillery were taken. These, placed to bear on our 
lines of rifle trenches, were rushed upon in flanks and seized before 
they could be turned upon us, or be taken from the field. The first 
section was taken by the 26th Tennessee, the second by the 26th 
Mississippi. Advancing in a direction nearly parallel to our line of 
defence, when nearly oj^posite the centre, our course was for some 
time impeded by the desperate stand made by the enemy, who was 
probably reinforced, and occupying ground most favorable for shel- 
tering his troops. Our ammunition had been so rapidly expended 
as to entirely exhaust the supply of some regiments. Numbers 
had provided themselves from the cartridge-boxes of the dead and 
wounded enemy. 

Our force had been considerably reduced by casualties, and the 



130 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

numerous attendants who conveyed the wounded fi'om the field. 
Having no mounted officer to send, I rode up to where Capt- 
Graves' battery was posted in the trenches, and requested supplies 
of ammunition and reinforcements, if any could be spared, giving 
Capt. Graves an intimation as to the relative positions of the 
forces engaged. Immediately on my return he opened a fire 
of grape, which so disordered the enemy that we were again 
enabled to advance, driving him from his camp of the night 
before. 

He took a new position, still further retired, holding it for some 
time, until Col. Hanson, with the 2d Kentucky regiment, coming to 
our assistance, poured a fire into the enemy's flank, who imme- 
diately fled in confusion. 

This completed the rout of the extreme right of the Federal 
forces. Uncertain as to the movements of our right wing, I paused, 
to obtain the information necessary to render our future movements 
efi"ective, and to restore order from the confusion incident to a con- 
tinuous combat of nearly six hours in the woods. 

Here, Gen. B. R. Johnson came up to me for the first time, 
although I learn that he had, at difierent times during the morning, 
directed other portions of the line. He could give no information, 
but soon after, whilst my attention was directed to the 2Gth Missis- 
sippi and 26th Tennessee, moved off" all the other i-egiments, includ- 
ing the 20th Mississippi. I saw no more of these during the re- 
mainder of the day. 

After the lapse of an hour, i)bserving troops from the right, 
returning to their original positions in the lines, I directed the two 
regiments left with me also to return to the trenches. 

Three times during the day I had sent a stafi* officer to Gen. Pil- 
low, for instructions, advising him of our situation. But no orders 
or directions were received from him, except to do "the best I 
could." 

Being totally unacquainted with the topographical features of the 
ground, unadvised as to the movements of the general command, 
it was impossible for me to do more than simply dislodge the enemy, 
as from time to time he made a stand before us. 

I would beg leave to remark here that the efficiency of the smooth- 
boi'e musket, and ball and buck-shot cai'tridges, was fully demon- 
strated on this occasion, and to recommend that our troops be 
irtqyressed with the advantage of closing rapidly upon the enemy, 
wlien our rapid loading and firing proves immensely destructive, 
»ud the long-range arms of the enemy lose their superiority. 



OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 131 

For lists of killed and wounded, and minor details, recounting 
the conduct of subaltern officers and men, I beg leave respectfully 
to refer to reports of regimental commanders, which accompany 
this report. 

Justice requires that I should refer to the coolness and gallantry 
of Col. Jno. M. Lillai-d, who, wounded in the early part of the 
engagement, remained at the head of his command during the whole 
day. It is difficult to determine which deserves most commenda- 
tion, this regiment or its commander. 

Lieut.-col. Boone and Major Parker, 26th Mississippi, both con 
ducted themsebjes as officers and brave men, and this reigiment 
bore its part well in the conflict. 

Major Brown, commanding the 20th Mississippi, is entitled to 
honorable mention ; his left wing thrown, in the early part of the 
day into an exposed position, by an ill-advised order, held its ground 
tintil recalled, and afterwards the whole regiment was among the 
foremost in every advance. I cannot forbear to mention that Col. 
McCausland's ( — ) Virginia, not assigned to my command, volun- 
tarily tendered his co-operation, and was conspicuous for his daring 
intrepidity. The members of my personal staflF deserve especial 
notice. 

Lieut. S. D. Harris, 14th Mississippi, Acting Assistant Adj.-geu., 
was of great assistance. He merited, and has received my thanks. 
So, likewise, did Thomas A. Burke, a private in company I, 14th 
Mississippi, appointed an acting aid-de-camp. T. F.* Carrington, a 
private in company K, 14th Mississippi, also an acting aid-de-camp, 
was severely, I fear mortally, wounded, in the early part of the 
action, an accident which deprived me of the services of a valuable 
aid, 

Capt. D, II. Spence, of Murfreesboro, Tenn., volunteer aid, was 
severely wounded in the head whilst gallantly exposing himself on 
the top of a fence, and urging " Tennesseans, onward!" 

My own regiment, the 14th Mississippi, Major Doss, was sent to 
Fort Donelson some days in advance of my arrival. The 41st 
Tennessee, Col. Farquharson, was brought down on the 13th. 

Both Vegiraents were posted on the right, and thus temporarily 
separated from my command. 

l!>J"either representations nor solicitations on my jjart could avail 
in inducing such change as would reunite these regiments, or place 
me where I desired to be, under the immediate direction of my 
proper commander. 

The reports of these latter regiments have been made to Col. 



132 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

John C Brown, commanding 3d brigade, under whose orders tbey 
were temporarily placed. 

A condensed statement of killed and womided is annexed. 
Respectfully, your ob't serv't 

W. E. BALDWIN, 
Col. comifg. 2d brigade, Gen. Such\er''s Division. 



9 
Summary of Killed and Wounded — Saturday^ February 15, 1862. 

OFFICEES. ^ 

26th Tennessee — In action, 33 ; wounded, 7. * 
26th Mississippi — In action, 39; killed, 1; wounded, 1. 
20th Mississippi — In action, 31 ; killed, 1 ; wounded, 5. 
Staff, 5 ; wounded, 2. 
Total — In action, 108; killed, 2; wounded, 15. 

NON-COMMISSIONED OFFICERS AND PEIVATES. 

26th Tennessee — In action, 377; killed, 11 ; wounded, 78. 
26th Mississippi — In action, 404; killed, 11 ; wounded, 68. 
20th Mississippi — In action, 469; killed, 18; Avounded, 55. 
Total in action, 1250 ; killed, 40; wounded, 201. 
Aggregate — In action, 1358; killed, 42; wounded, 216. 



Report of Colonel John M. Lillard, of Tw^enty-sixth 
Tennessee Regiment in action at Fort Donelson, 
February, 1862. 

To Col. W. E. Baldwin, 

Fourteenth 3fississi2)2yi, commanding Brigade. 

The regiment went into action on Saturday, February 15, 1862, 
with four hundred, including field and staff, &c. There were eleven 
killed and eighty-five wounded, many mortall}', who have since died. 
Total killed and wounded, (96) ninety-six. 

The enemy were driven back by us, their right wnng being driven 
on their centre and left, making repeated stands, and being repeat- 
edly routed, in which this regiment captured two brass cannon, two 
flags, the instruments of a band, and several prisoners. Of the 
conduct of the regiment in action, it is left for the brigade com- 
mander to speak. 

The killed and wounded are aa follows, to wit : 



OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 133 

Field and Staif. — Jolin M. Lillavd, colonel, wounded slightly iu 
elioulder ; Lieut.-col, J. J. O'Dell, wounded slightly in arm ; Lieut. 
J. A. Howell, adjutant, slightly in thigh. 

Company A. — Haymond Stephen, wounded in shoulder ; H. Sails, 
in bowels ; Newton Deathridge, in side ; S. Duckworth, in hip ; 
L, H. Horner, in shoulder; P. J. Cade, in arm; Wash. Deathridge, 
in arm ; W. Rhodes, in side : Ed. Hutson, in side ; James Johnson, 
in hand — Total, 10. 

Company B. — Killed, Joshua Collins. Wounded, D. Justice, in 
thigh ; J. Justice, in arm ; Sergeant W. M. Bayless, in arm. 

Company C. — Killed, John Kenserly. Wounded, Lieut. A. Swag- 
gerly, mortally ; Lieut. McNabb, slightly ; F. M. Griffin, slightly ; 
George Brotherton, severely ; T. T. Bauldwin, severely ; A. Gray, 
in shoulder; J. A. Hicks, in thigh; Glorge McMahan, in shqulder; 
J. A. Sample, in shoulder ; F. M. Jenkin, in hand. 

Company D. — Killed, T. D. Nash. Woiraded, S. Hamack, R. 
Stratton, J. Williams, R. Brooks, J. F. Saterfield, J. P. Godwin, 
H. D. Godwin, A. Hepsher. 

Company E. — Killed, Sergeant James Fleming and Joseph Chil- 
dress. Wounded, F. M. Johns, A. T. Mundy, J, P. Godsey, A. S. 
Bacon, Corporal Cunningham, D. Moore, and John Mundy. 

Company F, — Killed, Private C, Graham. Wounded, Captain 
H. L. McClinig, mortally; Lieut. Butler, slightly; Sergeant Bruce, 
slightly ; Sergeant McCalluma, slightly ; F. Cloud, J. Starke, W. M. 
Evans, mortally ; H. L. Evans, slightly ; J. McDade, J. Rothchild, 
W. Harley, W. Porter, L. La. J. Wright, J. L. Hout. 

Company G. — Killed, Corporal Hancock. Wounded, piivate G. 
W. Guire, in arm. 

Company H. — Killed, George Gross, J. R. Young, and W- Phil- 
ips. Wounded, B. A. J. Jones, J. Carter, J. W. Kelly, J. M. 
Myers, S. Brock, and J. ^Y. Davis. 

Company I. — Killed, private F. M. Moss. Wounded, Sergeant 
H. L. White, F. M. Gilleland, H. H. Goin, J. D. Hembree, A. J. 
Kincade, J. W. Kinkrix, J. R. Kincade, J. R. Kennedy, G, W. 
Morrison, W. Netherly, J. H. O. Dome, Wm. Woriek, A. J. Death- 
ridge, Roland Hatson, John Cutis, A. East. 

Company K, — Wounded, L. D. S. Richards, W. Alford, J. Green, 
Walker McCrony, Ben. Emmet, John George ; Richards and Al- 
ford, thought mortally. 

Respectfully submitted, 

JOHN M. LILLARD, 
Vol 2Qth Iie{/ime?it Tennessee Vohmteers, 



134 OFFICIAL REPOKTS OF BATTLES, 



Report from Major W. M. Brown, Twentieth Missis- 
sippi Volunteers, of the part taken by' it in the 
Battle of Fort Donelson, and all othej: facts con- 
nected w^ith the Investment of the Fort and its 
Surrender, 

Richmond^ Va., April 12, 1862. 
To Gen. G. W. Randolph, 

Secretary of War^ G. S. A. : 

I am directed by his Excellency, President Davis, to make your 
department a report of the part taken by the 20th Mississippi regi- 
ment ^n the engagement wiWi the enemy at Fort Donelson, Feb- 
ruary loth, 14th, and 15th, 1862; also, all the other facts concern- 
ing tlie investment and subsequent surrender of that post. 

The regiment was assigned to the command of Brig.-gen. John 
B. Floyd, in Western Virginia, duiing the past summer, and went 
to Kentucky, and from thence to Fort Donelson, as part of his im- 
mediate command, arriving at that place at daylight on the 13th of 
February. 

By sunrise, we were ordered into position as a reserve, imme- 
diately in rear of a point which was said to be our centre. During 
the day, heavy cannonading was kept up on botli sides, mostly of 
shells and shrapnel, which resulted in killing one man and wound- 
ing three or four slightly. At night, we bivouacked in position 
until 12 o'clock, when an order came from Gen. Pillow to relieve 
the 7th Texas regiment, commanded by Gen, Geoi-ge John Gregg, 
then in the trenches. At that time, brisk firing was going on, sup- 
posed to be induced by the enemy's scouts and sharpshooters. 
The breastworks were thought insufficient from the test of the 
preceding days^ so the remainder of the night was occupied in 
strengtliening them, and cleaning out the trenches, now partially 
filled with water and snow. 

The next day (Friday) was spent in occasional engagements with 
the enemy's sharpshooters. Tlie fort was actively engaged in repel- 
ling an attack of the gunboats of the enemy. My position did not 
afford me a view of the proceedings, which have been fully reported 
by others. About 10 o'clock, I received an order to form our 
regiment on the extreme left in an open field, for the purpose of 
making a sortie on the enemy, which formation was executed in a 
very short tiiae. By order of Gen. Pillow, the 20th Mississippi 



OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 160 

was attached to the brigade of Col. W. C. Baldwin, 14th Missis- 
sippi regiment, for this occasion. Before the order to advance had 
been given, a few guns of the enemy were heard, and by the time 
we had advanced one hundred yards, a private of company D was 
shot down, showing that the enemy was close at hand. We con- 
tinued the march for tw^o hundred yards more, when the order to 
halt was given, said to come from Gen. Floyd, with the explanation 
that we did not have time to accomplish what he wanted, and the 
order to countermarch being given, we did so in proper ordei', and 
we took our position in the trenches. 

About 10 o'clock on that night (Friday) I received an order to 
form again as on the preceding evening, which Avas executed 
promptly, and by direction of Gen. Pillow, was again under the 
command of Col. W. E. Baldwin, 14th Mississippi regiment, acting 
brigadier. I made a report to him of the casualties of that day, 
while in captivity, but as he has been prohibited from making a 
statement to the War Department of this government, as likewise 
Gen. Buckner, I hereby substantially append the same of that day's 
proceedings, which was confined particularly to the 20th Mississippi 
regiment. Being the only field-officer in command, who was present, 
I was greatly assisted by Capt. H. Coutey, and Capt. C. K. Massey, 
company D, who were selected voluntarily by the officers of the 
regiment to assist in field duty, there being some difficulty as to 
seniority of captains. Adj. J. M. Cooper was also very efficient, 
and tendered valuable assistance. 

Assistant-surgeon T. B. Elken was present, and rendered every 
assistance in his ]Dower to the Avounded. 

CASUALTIES OF THE SEVEKAX COMPANIES. 

Company A, Capt. H. Coutey, Lieut. R. M. Wilson. 

Killed, private H. N". Vowel— 1. 

Wounded, Lieut. R. M. Wilson, privates J. Jamaison, Davy Mor- 
gan, J. R. Gumm, W. M. Brown — 5. 

Surrendered — 5 1 . 

Company B, Capt. W. A. Rover, Lieuts. T. B. Sykes, Murf, and 
Robert. 

Killed, Sergeant Dan. Howard, privates Dick Cooper, Tom Car- 
roll, Rufus Gore, John Dabbs, James Whalen, John C. Pollack, D. 
A. Kyle, W. M. Langston — 9. 

Wounded, mortally, J. McEwen (since dead) ; mortally, J. K 
Famier (dead). 



136 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Seriously and slight, H. Y. Bresly, L. C. Steward, Henry Catley, 
S. F. Williams, J. R. Seely, J. P. Willis, W. T. Porter, Sara. M. 
Johnson, B. W. McCnllen, J. A. Wamble, J. H. Wore ; missing, 
Edward Brown, John Lynch, G. C. Robinson — 11. 

Company B, surrendered— 34 aggregate. 

Company C, Capt. J. Z. George, Lieuts. J. M. Liddle, T. W. 
Keyes, and Stoddard, 69 privates — 73 aggregate. 

Wounded, D. L. Jackson — 1. 

Surrendered — 66. 

Company D, Capt. C. K. Massey, Lieuts. J. C. Williams, Datson, 
and McClelland, 54 privates — 58 aggregate. 

Killed, Sergeant W. H. Horden — 1. 

Surrendered — 54. 

Company E, Lieut. W. S. Champlin, commanding, 1 commis- 
sioned oiScer, 41 privates — 42 aggregate. 

Killed, private J. P. Wattlebaum — 1. 

Wounded, Lieut. J. S. Champlin, Sergeant W. K. Washington, 
Corporal J. P. Yates, privates Y. J. Bell, W. T. Bandy, H. Frederick, 
W. O. Fink, J. Germain, R. McCarty, W. M. Redman, F. C. Seely, 
H. F. Zenan— 12. 

Surrendered — 35. 

Company F, Capt. H. B. Graham, Lieuts. O. R. Eastland and L. 
E. R. Sterling. 

Wounded, Lieut. O. R. Eastland, badly, Lieut. E. R. Sterling, 
Sergeant Odom, Corporal Fleming, private Welch — 5. 

Surrendered — 54. 

Company G, Lieut. W. R. Nelson commanding, 34 privates — 35 
aggregate. 

Killed, privates G. White, C. Nabers, E. Wallace— 3. 

Wounded, Sergeant M. Maken, privates J. Starke, Early J. Fin- 
der, W. Wingo, J. M. Cully, J. Bevel— 7. 

Surrendered — 3 1 . 

Company H, 1st Lieut. R. W. Paine commanding, Lieuts. J. S. 
Barbee and Harrison. 

Killed, Lieut. R. W. Paine, private Dan. A. Davis — 2. 

Wounded, Lieut. J. H. Barbee, privates M. Davis, James M. 
Wilson, John H. Faulkner, James M. Finny — 5. 

Surrendered — 43. 

Company I, Capt. W. M. Chatfield, Lieut. Williams, 34 privates — 
36 aggregate. 

Wounded, D. W. Thompson— 1. 

Surrendered — 52. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BA'ITLES. 137 

Company K, D. T. Patterson, Lieuts. Oldham and Conway. 

Killed, private T. H. Perry— 1. 

Wounded, W. Dioyne, badly ; T. Rooke, badly ; slightly, D. C 
Patterson, Sergeant J. Dodd, privates R. H. Fox, TV. C. Copshow, 
L. O. Young, James Gensel, W. S. Sandrod, Pat. Horn, Pyshus 
Stephens. 

Surrendered — 5 9. 

RECAPITULATION : 

Aggregate engaged — 500. 

Killed— 20. 

Wounded— 58. 

Surrendered — 454. That being the number returned by the com- 
manding officer of companies on Sunday, February 16, 1862, the day 
we were surrendered ; afterwards many of them reported that they 
had known several to escape. 



On the morning of Saturday, the 15th February, when marched 
out to attack the enemy, we were third in the order of advance. 
The enemy's pickets and sharpshooters commenced firing upon us 
soon after the order to advance, and by the time we had gained 
three hundred yards we were under a brisk fire, which came from a 
hill in front, covered with timber. By order from Gen. Pillow, the 
regiment was formed on the left of the road perpendicular to the 
road in the woods, immediately behind a fence, with an open field 
in front. 

Subsequently I received an order from the same source to wheel 
the regiment to the right, through the field behind the line offence, 
parallel to the road. Tins movement subjected us to a cross fire, 
and very much exposed us to the enemy on both sides under cover 
of the woods. 

I had this fact represented to Gen. Pillowy who ordered me back 
to my first position. 

At this time the five left companies were actually engaged on the 
hill, and not hearing the command, did not obey with promptness. 
The destruction at this time in their ranks demonstrated the fiei'ce- 
ness of the conflict, and their unflinching bravery. I would mention 
especially Lieut. R. W. Paine, of company " H," who fell at this 
time, a martyr to his country's cause. There also was wounded, 
Capt. D. F. Patterson, company " K," Lieut. J. R. Eastland, company 



138 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

"F," was badly, perhaps mortally wouiicled. He refused to be 
carried from the field, and exclaimed, " Never mind me, boys; fight 
on, fight on:'' Lieut. J. W. Barbee, company " H," was wounded, 
and forced to retire. 

Capt. W. A. Rover, commanding company " B," Lieut. W. R. 
Nelson, commanding company " G," Lieuts. S. B. Sykes, Conway, 
Murf, Roberts, W. S. Chaplin, commanding company " E," and 
Lieut. Harrison, are all deserving of honorable mention, for their 
conduct at this place. 

To enumerate all the officers and privates who Avere deserving of 
notice for their gallantry throughout the day would to return a list 
of all who were on the field, and I would refer you to the foregoing 
list • but as fortune had thrown the left of the regiment in a more 
fiercely contested place, of which the suffering truly indicated, it is 
but justice to give these companies some especial notice. 

On several other occasions during the day we were ordered to 
advance, and charge through the woods, part of the time under the 
eye and immediate direction of Gen. B, R. Johnson, on the extreme 
left, until the enemy were instantly driven off. Our movements 
under that officer seemed to take the enemy by their flank and rear. 
"We opposed several of their luies of reserve, which retired with but 
little resistance, at 12 o'clock. I was instructed by Gen. Johnson 
to remain with the brigade of Col. Joseph Drake, of 4th Mississippi, 
then on my left. The regiment on my right very soon commenced 
retiring to the intrenchments ; I did not learn by whose order, or 
for what purpose. In two or three hours a heavy column of the 
enemy attacked us in front, which was repulsed with little or no loss 
to us. They then endeavored to flank our right, and thereby cut 
us off from the breastwork, now about three-fourths of a mile dis- 
tant. Col. Drake being so informed, gave the order to move, by 
the rioht flank, and continue the firing, wliich was executed. 

By this time many companies were without ammunition ; such 
was the case of many of Col. Drake's command. On this account, 
we retired to the trenches in proper order. When called upon the 
field, this regiment had been without sleep for four nights, during 
which time they were marching, working, and watching in tlie 
trenches, encountering a severe snow-storm, without tents or cook- 
in o- utensils. Notwithstanding all these privations and suflferings, 
every order was obeyed with the greatest alacrity. Every man 
seemed to feel that much depended upon himself 

At 1 o'clock on Saturday night I was sent for to report to Gen. 
J. B. Floyd, which I did promptly, and received notice from him 



OFFICIAL RKPOKTS OF BATTLES. 139 

that the place was to be surrendered, but that he would not surren- 
der himself, and would cut his way out with his immediate com- 
mand. To carry out this determination, he ordered me to form my 
regiment on the left of our line, as on the previous morning, with 
the Virginia regiment. While executing this order, anaid-de-camp 
of Gen. Buckner brought an order countermanding this arrange- 
ment, and directing me to the steamboat landing to embark on one 
or two boats then moilientarily expected. 

I went immediately to Gen. Floyd so as better to understand the 
movement, and from him learned the authenticity of the instruc- 
tions, and also that we would embark ; according to the rank of 
commanding officers. Col. Wharton's brigade and McCausland's 
brigade would j^recede mine in order. I was further directed to 
place a strong guard around the steamboat landing to prevent strag- 
glers from going aboard. The boats being detained until nearly 
daylight, and the news of a surrender sj^reading through the camp, 
caused many to flock to the river, almost panic-stricken and frantic, 
to make good their escape by getting on board. In all this confu- 
sion I am proud to say, the 20th Mlssissi2)pi regiment stood like a 
stonewall, which, as the necessity had required it, I had thrown in 
a semi-circle around the landing, to protect Gen. Floyd, and his 
Virginia regiments while embarking, and when the last hope had 
vanished of getting on board, according to the orders and i^romises 
of Gen. Floyd, and we realized the sad fate that we had been sur- 
rendered, the regiment stacked arms in good order, without the least 
intimidation, but full of regret. I am not able to state why Ave 
were not taken aboard the boat. There was about two hundred 
men and officers between my regiment and the boat. When Gen. 
Floyd was on board, I sent ray adjutant to say we were ready to go 
aboard. I did not get a satisfactory answer, but learned that the 
general was figliting off the men in my front, who I thought be- 
longed to one of the Virginia regiments, commanded by Major 
Thomas Smith, who has since informed me that some did not go. 
There seemed to be room enough for us all, and if he wanted them 
out of tlie way, I could have cleared the banks in a moment's time. 
When the boat left there did not seem to be fifty men on board 
(seen on deck). It is, perhaps, unbecoming in me to say whose 
fault it was that my regiment was not embarked, but I certainly 
owe it to myself to show that it was not mine. 

While this excitement was going on, Gen. Buckner sent for me, 
and informed me that unless the steamboat left the landing imme- 



140 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

diately, he would throw a bomb-shell into it ; that he had sent 
word to the boat to that effect. 

He made some further remarks of an explanatory character, 
among others that we were in danger of being shelled by the gun- 
boats of the enemy, as he had surrendered the place, and the gun- 
boats were, or might be, at the fort. That his honor as an officer, 
and the honor and good faith of the Confederacy, required that at 
daylight he should turn over every thing under his command, 
agreeable to the terms of capitulation with Gen. Grant, of the 
Federal army. I returned to the boat to make every eiFort to get 
aboard, but it had shoved off, and was making up the river, with 
very few persons aboard. If I have been at fault, and caused the 
unnecessary imprisonment of my regiment, I am deserving the 
eternal infamy of my fellow-soldiers ; but on the contrary, there is 
not an officer or private of the regiment, who witnessed the pro- 
ceedings, who does not freely and cheerfully exonerate me from any 
blame whatsoever. 

During the summer and fall campaign in "Western Virginia, Ken- 
tucky, and Tennessee, this regiment has done credit to themselves 
and their State, for the arduous service they performed at Sewall's 
Mountain, Cotton Hill, and Fort Donelson. Their manly endur- 
ance of privations, prompt obedience to orders, and their eagerness 
for the fray, was 7}ever excelled by veteran soldiers of any army, 
and has entitled the 20th Mississippi to a pi'ominent place in the 
history of this revolution. 

In obedience to my instructions to furnish the department what- 
ever information I may have of the battle of Donelson, I hereby 
append an unofficial statement which I have in my possession, made 
by " W. E. Baldwin, captain infantry, C, S. A., colonel 14th Missis- 
sippi Volunteers, commanding 2d brigade, 2d division (Gen. Buck- 
ner), Central Army, Ky.," from October 30, 1860. 

To supply an anticipated omission in the future history of our 
coimtry, it may not be improper here to state, that this brigade 
Avas composed of the following regiments : 

14th Mississippi, commanded by Major W. T. Doss ; 26th Tennes- 
see, commanded by Col. J. M. Lillard ; 26th Mississippi, com- 
manded by Col. A. E. Reynolds; and 41st Tennessee, commanded 
by Col. R. Farquharson, was temporarily divided in the line around 
Fort Donelson; the 14th Mississippi and the 41st Tennessee being 
posted in the right wing, under Gen. Buckner's immediate super- 
vision. 

The 26th Tennessee and the 26th Mississippi were posted under 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 141 

my own command on the extreme left. These regiments, with the 
20th Mississippi, under Major W. N. Brown, which was added to 
the command, constituted the advance in our attack on the enemy's 
right at 6 o'clock on the morning of February 15th, 1862. 

They all behaved with great gallantry in a six hours' combat, 
which resulted in the total defeat of the enemy's right ; whereby a 
way was opened for a retreat of the array. The opportunity not 
having been seized, and the enemy, 60,000 strong, having com- 
pletely enveloped our little force, numbering, before the losses oc- 
casioned by four days' constant engagements, about 12,000 officers 
and men. The senior generals, Floyd and Pillow, relinquished the 
command to Gen. Buckner, and made their escape ; the former 
taking with him about 1500 troops of his immediate command, 
only leaving Major Brown, with the 20th Mississippi, who, like vet- 
erans, were silently and steadily, though sullenly, guarding the em- 
barkation of troops, while their chief was seeking safety. 

The command was immediately surrendered on the morning of 
the 16th February, by Gen. Buckner, who shared the fate of his 
command. 

It is unbecoming in soldiers to criticise the conduct of superiors, 
but when, after rejecting the councils of jimiors, the condition of 
affairs is placed beyond the power of human means to retrieve, the 
senior endeavors to escape responsibility by throwing the same upon 
the fo7V7ier, commetit is tmnecessary. 

After surrendering, the force was taken on transports, the rank 
and file separated from the officers. Most of the officers were con- 
fined in Camp Chase, near Columbus, Ohio. On the 4th of March, 
the field officers, fifty in number, were brought from that place to 
this (Fort Warren), where we have since been waiting with pa- 
tience for the time to come when we can again strike for our homes 
and our country's independence. 

FoKT Warren, March 19th, 1862. 

It may not be improper here for me to state, that should any ar- 
rangement be established with the Fedei-al government for the ex- 
chano-e of prisoners of war, that in consideration of services ren- 
dered by this regiment, and the further fact, it is mustered for the 
war^ I should request it be placed first on the list to be exchanged. 
Respectfully submitted, 

W. M. BROWN, 
Major 20th Mississippi regiment 



142 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 



Report of the Third Brigade— Colonel John 0. Brown. 

To Major G. B. Cosby, 

A. A. General^ Second Division, Central Army, Kentucky. 

Sir: I have the honor to report that the 3d, 18th, and 32d Ten- 
nessee regiments, composing the 3d brigade of your division, arrived 
at Fort Donelson on the 9th and 10th days of February, and were 
assigned position by Brig. -gen. Pillow, then in command on the 
right of the line of defences — the extreme right being occupied by 
the 2d Kentucky regiment. I commenced at once the construction 
of rifle-pits and forming abatis by felling timber, but the supply of 
tools was wholly inadequate, and before the works were scarcely 
half completed, the enemy appeared in our front on Wednesday, 
the 12th, about noon. After this, the incessant fire from the 
enemy's sharpshooters rendered labor on our works almost impos- 
sible during the day, and large fatigue parties were necessary during 
the entire nights of Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday, although 
the weather was intensely cold. On Thursday, the 13th, the 14th 
Mississippi, commanded by Major W. L. Doss, and the 41st Ten- 
nessee, commanded by Col. R. Farquharson, were temporarily at- 
tached to my brigade. Tlie centre of my portion of the line, being 
the most elevated and commanding point, was defended by Capt. 
Porter's light battery of six guns, while Capt. Graves' battery was 
posted near the left, commanding a long wide valley, separating my 
left from Col. Ileiuian's right. The position was an admirable one 
to support ray left and Col. Ileiman's right, while it also commanded 
the hills immediately in front. About 11 o'clock on Thursday I 
discovered the enemy moving in considerable force upon Col. Hei- 
man's centre, and before the column came within range of Col. Hei- 
man, and indeed before it could be seen from Col. Heiman's position, 
I directed Capt. Graves to open fire from all his guns, which he did 
with such spirit and fatal precision, that in less than fifteen minutes 
the whole column staggered and took shelter, in confusion and dis- 
order, beyond the summit of the hill still further to our left, when 
Col. Ileiman opened fire upon it, and drove it beyond range of both 
his and my guns. Later in the day the enemy planted one section 
of a battery on a hill, almost in front of Capt. Graves, and opened 
an enfilading fire upon the left of my line, and at the same time a 
cross fire upon Col. Heiman. Capt. Graves, handling his lavorite 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 143 

rifle piece with the same fearless coolness that characterized his 
conduct during the entire week, in less than ten minutes knocked 
one of the enemy's guns from its carriage, and almost at the same 
moment the gallant Porter disabled and silenced the other, while 
the supporting infantry z*etreated precipitately before the storm of 
grape and canister poured into their ranks from both batteries. 
Xearly one-half of my command was constantly deployed in the 
rifle-pits, while the residue was held under arms and in position as a 
reserve ; but on Thursday, Col. Hanson, on the extreme right, being 
attacked by a large force, I sent, by Gen. Buckner's orders, the 18th 
Tennessee to his support, which remained with him until Friday 
night. On Saturday morning I had orders to move my command 
towards the left, so soon as Col. Head should relieve my men in the 
rifle-pits. He was late in reporting, and without waiting longer I 
put the column in motion, directing the men in the rifle-pits to 
follow us, so soon as relieved, wMch they did very promptly, but in 
some disorder. My whole command was provided with three days' 
cooked rations, and marched with their knapsacks, the purpose 
being to turn the enemy's right wing, and march out on the Wynn's 
ferry road, to fall back upon Nashville. Arriving at the point 
where the Wynn's ferry road crosses the intrenchments, the 3d 
Tennessee was deployed in the rifle-pits, while the remaining regi- 
ments were held in reserve. The enemy had already been attacked 
on his right by our left wing, and we were awaiting the proper 
moment of co-operation, and by Gen. Buckner's directions I sent 
the 14th Mississippi to the front as skirmishers, the enemy occupy- 
ing a hill in considerable force not far distant. The 3d and 18th 
Tennessee regiments (the former commanded by Lieut.-col. Thomas 
M. Gordon, and the latter by Col, J. B. Palmer), were sent forward 
in quick succession to support the 1 -ith Mississippi. As they ad- 
vanced over the abatis and through comparatively open ground, and 
especially on reaching the summit of the hill, they were met by a 
murderous fire. Some confusion ensued, but they returned a steady 
fire until the enemy retired under cover of dense timber and under- 
growth, withdrawing his battery, which had been pouring a heavy 
fire into our reserves. Further pursuit being imi^racticable in that 
direction, and companies having become separated and somewhat 
intermixed, on account of the obstacles over which they had 
marched, the command retired within the intrenchments, and im- 
mediately re-formed to renew the attack still further to the right, 
whither the enemy were retiring. And about twelve o'clock, under 
the direction of Brig. -gen. Buckner, I led the 3d and 18th Tennes- 



144 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

see, as well as the 32d Tennessee (Col. Ed. C. Cook), across an open 
field on the right of the "Wynn's ferry road, under the fire of a 
battery posted on that road. As we appeared upon the summit of 
the hill, the force supporting the battery retreated about 300 or 400 
yards still further to our right and further from our lines, leaving 
one section of the battery, Avhich fell into our hands. The hill to 
which the enemy retreated was so densely covered with trees and 
undergrowth that our skirmishers could not ascertain his j^osition 
and numbers, but we were led to suppose that his battery at that 
point was supported by a force not exceeding one thousand men ; 
but it was afterwards ascertained that his strength was nearly seven 
thousand, -while there were five regiments within supporting distance. 
Acting upon the first and only information we could then obtain, 
a charge was ordered, and the whole command moved forward 
with spirit and animation, but when within about 100 yards of the 
enemy, who M-as upon higher git)und, we were met by a fire of 
grape and musketry that was terrific, but fortunately passing above 
our heads. We halted and opened a fire of musketry upon them, 
which, although continuing only a few minutes, killed and wounded 
not less than 800 of the enemy, Lieut.-col. Gordon of the 3d, 
having been wounded, ordered the regiment to fall back under 
cover of the hill. I rallied it at about 100 yards, and placed it in 
command of Col. Cheairs. The 18th and 32d fell back a short dis- 
tance, and just then being reinforced by the 14th Mississippi, we 
were renewing the attack, when the enemy left the field, leaving his 
dead and wounded. While we were engaged, the gallant Graves 
came in full speed to our assistance, with a part of his battery, and 
maintained his position until the enemy retired. Our loss in this 
engagement did not exceed fifty in killed and wounded. But the 
brave and accomplished Lieut.-col. Moore, of the 32d Tennessee 
regiment, fell mortally wounded, while aiding his no less worthy 
commander in cheering his men to the chai-ge. Just as the enemy 
left the field, entirely opening the Wynn's ferry road, my command 
was ordered by Brig.-gen. Pillow, repeated by Brig.-gen. Floyd, 
to return at once to its position on the right of our line of defences. 
My men had scarcely deployed in the rifle-pits, when I was ordered 
to reinforce Col. Hanson on the extreme right, whose works bad 
been stormed and taken by the enemy before he bad reoccupied 
them. An obstinate fire was maintained until dark, but we held the 
ground to which Col. Hanson had retired, although opposed by a 
superior force of fresh troops. Capts. Porter and Graves did effi- 
cient service in their engagement with their batteries — indeed, they 



OFFICIAL KKPORTS OF BATTLES. 145 

excited the admiration of the whole command, by an exhibition ot 
coohiess and bravery, under a lieavy fire (from which they had no 
protection), which could not be excelled, Capt. Porter fell, dan- 
gerously Avounded by a niinie ball through his thigh, while work- 
ing one of his guns — his gunners being, nearly all of them, disabled 
or killed. The command then devolved upon Lieut. Morton, a 
beardless youth, who stepped forward like an old veteran, and nobly 
did he emulate the example of his brave captain. 

Fatigue parties were employed until 2 o'clock Sunday morning 
strengthening our position, when an order reached me, to spike the 
guns on my line and march my command towards the left as on 
Saturday morning. The order was instantly executed, but before 
the column had proceeded one mile I was directed to countermarch 
and reoccupy the works, and display flags of truce from the front 
of our works. At 9 o'clock the same morning the command was 
surrendered. 

My command was so much worn and exhausted from incessant 
labor and watching during the entire week — exposure to intense 
cold, as well as from the fatigues of the battle on the preceding day, 
as to be wholly unable to meet any spirited attack from the enemy 
o|i Sunday morning. Our ammunition, both for artillery and small- 
arms, was well-nigh exhausted. 

It might do injustice to others to particularize many instances of 
daring and bravery among officei's and men. With but few exce}> 
tions, they all deserve the highest praise for the determined and 
gallant spirit with which they bore themselves under their first ex- 
posui-e to fire — 

My killed amount to - - - - - 38 

My wounded amount to . . - - 244 

For details, reference is made to the report of regimental com- 
manders, marked respectively A. B. C. D. and E. 
I have the honor to be, sir, 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

JOHN C, BROWN, 
Col. dd Tennessee regiment, commanding 3d brigade. 

February 16, 1862. 



10 



146 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 



Report of Major N. F. Cheairs, commanding Third 
Tennessee Regiment. 

Fort Warreis", Boston Harbor, 

Massachusetts, March 10, 1862. 
To Col. John C. Brown, commanding Tliird JBrigaxle^ Second 
Division Central Army of Kentucky^ C. S. A. 

The 3d Tennessee regiment of vohinteers arrived at Fort Donel- 
son on the night of the 8th of February, 1862, with an aggregate, 
reported for duty, of seven hundred and fifty men. On the day 
aftei- reaching Donelson the whole regiment was employed in the 
preparation of works of defence — rifle-pits, trenches, &c., at which 
both men and officers continued night and day, until the evening 
of the 12th, at which time a skirmish took place with the Federals 
about a mile or a mile and a half in advance of our trenches, by a 
company of the 18th Tennessee regiment, who had been sent out 
on picket duty. Immediately after the return ' of said company to 
the trenches. Gen. Buckner's division, which occupied the right of 
the whole line of our defence, was arranged in order of battle for 
the general engagement which ensued. The 3d Tennessee regi- 
ment occupied the fourth position from the right, and five compa- 
nies were deployed in the rifle-jiits, and five held in i-eserve, com- 
manded by myself, with orders to sustain the companies deployed 
in the pits, under the command of Lieut.-col. S. M. Gordon, and to 
support Porter's artillery on my right, as circumstances might re- 
quire. Such was the position held by the 3d Tennessee regiment 
until the morning of the 15th February. At about four o'clock of 
said morning, the 3d Tennessee regiment was ordered to be put in 
motion and march in the direction of our left wing, with knapsacks, 
haversacks, and three days' rations, with whatever else that could 
be conveniently carried. This order was immediately executed, 
and the regiment marched out beyond and to the right of Dover, 
where it was halted and ordered to deploy as skirmishers in the 
rifle-pits, and to the left of the 14th Mississippi and 18th Tennessee, 
at about half-past eight or nine o'clock in the morning. The 14th 
Mississippi and 3d Tennessee were ordered by Col. Brown (Gen, 
Buckner also being present) to attack one of the enemy's batteries, 
located some three or four hundred yards in front of our trenches, 
and, from their position, were firing heavily upon us. This bat- 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLKS. l-iT 

tery was supported by several regiments of infantry. We succeedetl 
(after a hot contest of about three-quarters of an hour) in driving 
the enemy back, and occupied their position until ordered back to 
the trenches by Major Cassaday, of Gen. Buckner's staff. The 3d, 
18th, and 32d Tennessee regiments vrere ordered across the trenches 
to attack another one of the enemy's batteries, supported by a 
heavy column of infantry, located on or near the Wynn's ferry 
road, and much farther from our works. The 3d Tennessee was on 
the left, the 18th in the centre, and the 32d on the right, in the 
arrangement for the attack. The trenches were soon crossed, and 
the battalions formed in double column, and marched in the direc- 
tion of the battery. When within about one hundred and fifty yards 
of it, it opened upon us with grape and canister, and seconded by 
the infantry. Lieut.-col. Gordon being in command of the 3d regi- 
ment, ordered it to lay down. In a few seconds he was wounded, 
and by some unfortunate order being given just at that time, which 
the regiment took for retreat, and thereupon did retreat some hun- 
dred or hundred and fifty yards, -when they were rallied by Col. 
Brown, and reformed in line of battle. Gen. Buckner being present, 
and discovering the enemy had also fallen back, ordered me, as 
next in command to Lieut.-col. Gordon (he having retired from the 
field), to take the 3d Tennessee regiment back to the trenches, 
which order I obeyed. On arriving at the trenches, I met with 
Gen. Pillow, who ordered me (after ascertaining that I was in com- 
mand) to take the 3d Tennessee regiment back to the position we 
had occupied on the right wing, and the one we had left at about 
four o'clock in the morning. I immediately formed the regiment 
and executed the order. A few minutes after reaching our original 
position, an attack was made upon Col. Hanson, the 2d Kentucky 
regiment's trenches, by the enemy in strong force. Col. Hanson 
not having more than one or two companies in position, full back 
iipon the 18th Tennessee (Col. Palmer), and I was ordered to bring 
VTp the 3d Tennessee to support the 2d Kentucky and 18th Ten- 
nessee, which order was executed at the shortest possible notice, 
and, in justice to the officers and soldiers, must say that they bore 
themselves most gallantly, notwithstanding they were completely, 
or nearly so, worn down by incessant fighting and fatigue duty. 
For eight consecutive days we succeeded in driving back the enemy, 
although they had fresh and we had exhausted troops. Lieut.-col. 
Gordon was in command of the regiment from the time we arrived 
at Donelson, on the night of the 8th, until about one o'clock, p. m., 
on the 15th, when he was wounded and retired from the field. I 



148 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

was then in command until the surrender, which was at six o'clock, 
Sunday morning, February 16th, 1862. 

For a detailed account of the killed and wounded of the 3d Ten- 
nessee regiment, during the entire tight at Donelson, I refer you to 
the subjoined paper, marked A. 

Killed, twelve ; wounded, seventy-six. 

The foregoing report of the conduct and actions of the 3d Ten- 
nessee regiment, and of its casualties at Fort Donelson, I have the 
honor to submit to you. 

Very respectfully, 

N. F. CHEAIRS, 
Major Commanding 3d Tennessee Hegiment. 



Report of Colonel Joseph B. Palmer, commanding 18th 
Tennessee regiment. 

FOKT WARRElSr, BoSTON HaRBOR, 

Massachusetts, March Tth, 1862. 
To Col. JoHisr C. Brown, commanding Tliird Brigade^ Second 
Divisio7i, Central army of Kentucky, C. S. A. 

The 18th regiment of Tennessee volunteers arrived at Fort Don- 
elson on the 8th of February, 1802, with an aggregate reported for 
duty of six hundred and eighty-five (685), and these encamped 
mainly without tents or other protection from the weather, and 
with scarcely any cookiilg utensils, until the surrender of the forces 
at that point on the 16th day of the same month. 

On the day after reaching Donelson, the whole regiment was em- 
ployed in the preparation of works of defence — rifle-pits, trenches, 
etc., at which both men and officers continued without relief or rest, 
night and day, until the 12th. Early in the forenoon of that day, 
pursuant to orders from brigade head-quarters, I ordered out com- 
pany C, commanded by Capt. W. R. Butler, on jDicket service, with 
the usual instructions. They went in the direction of the enemy's 
lines, about one and a half miles, and took position, when suddenly 
they discovered several thousand Federal troops advancing towards 
our encampment. Capt. Butler, thus finding his position greatly 
exposed, conducted a prudent and skilful retreat, gradually tailing 
back, so as to keep the enemy under constant observation — finally 
fired upon them and came within my encampment, submitting a 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 149 

report of this intelligence, which I immediately communicated to 
you and Gen. Buckner in person. Gen. Buckner's division, which 
occupied the right of the whole line of our defence, was therefore 
arranged in order of battle for the general engagement which 
ensued. The 2d Kentucky (Col. Hanson's) was first, and my regi- 
ment second on the right. I deployed companies A, B, and G, 
(Capts. Rushing, Joyner, and McWhirter,) in the rifle-pits immedi- 
ately in my front, placing them in command of Major S. W. Davis. 
The other companies were formed in double column first in rear of 
the former, in charge of myself and Lieut.-col. A. G. Garden, with 
orders from Gen. Buckner to sustain the line covered by my deploy- 
ment — to support Porter's artillery on my left, or. reinforce Col. 
Hanson on my right, as circumstances might require. Such was the 
position held by me until the morning of the 15th February. I had 
occasion, however, on the 13th, to dispatch companies E and K 
(Caj^ts, Lorre and Bandy) to reinforce Col. Hanson, upon whom the 
enemy was opening a considerable fire, but, after a very spirited 
engagement, the attack was repulsed. I had occasion also on the 
14th to send the balance of my reserve (Capts. Webb, Wood, Put- 
nam, Butler, and Lieut. John's companies) to reinforce the right, 
where it was expected the enemy would on that day make a des- 
perate attack, simultaneously with a fire on the fort from their gvin- 
boats. But owing probably to a failure of success in the latter, no 
further than the general fire was made upon us at that time. On 
Saturday morning, 15th February, at about two and a half or three 
o'clock, I received orders from brigade head-quarters to put my 
whole command in motion, and to march in the direction of our 
left wing, with knapsacks, haversacks provided with three days' 
rations, and whatever else men and officers could carry — sending 
all my wagons, except enough for the transportation of ordnance 
stores across Cumberland river. I proceeded immediately to exe- 
cute this order, and marched out beyond and to the right of Dover, 
where I was ordered to halt and take position in a general line of 
battle, on the right of the 3d Tennessee regiment. Very soon 
afterwards the 14th Mississippi and 3d Tennesse were ordered by 
Col. Brown (Gen. Buckner also being present) to attack one of the 
enemy's batteries, just in our front, and about three hundred yards 
beyond the trenches, which, from their position, were firing heavily 
upon us. This battery was supported by several regiments of infan- 
try, which, in connection with it, turned a terrible fire on the two 
regiments just named, against which they fought gallantly and 
bravely, thus making a severe engagement, which, having con- 



150 OFFICIAL RKPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

tinned for somd considerable time, I was ordered across the trenches 
to their support, and reached there just about the time the enemy 
abandoned their position and yielded the ground. Under the order 
of Major Cassaday, I returned to my former position, in connection 
with the other two regiments, in the general line of battle. The 
3d Tennessee, 32d and 18th Tennessee, were then ordered across 
the trenches to attack another one of the enemy's batteries, located 
on or near the "Wynn's ferry road, and much farther beyond our 
works. Col. Cook's regiment was on the right, my own in the 
centre, and Col. Brown's on the left, in the arrangement for this 
attack. The trenches were soon crossed, the battalions formed in 
double column, and we marched on to the supposed position of the 
battery. Col. Cook being in advance of my regiment, with skir- 
mishers in his front. "We found some, I may say much, embarrass- 
ment in having insufficient information in regard to the enemy's 
location, as we could only judge in reference to that by the smoke 
and reports of pieces lately heard and seen in that direction. "We 
found also very considerable difficulty in marching in the requisite 
order, owing to the timber and denscness of the undergrowth, on 
which the snow was thickly depositing and melting somewhat 
rajjidly. 

Y^e advanced forward, however, in quick time, until, nearing the 
enemy, Ave halted for the purpose of gaining, if possible, some more 
definite idea of his position, the skirmishers having rallied on their 
battalion without (as I learned from Col, Cook) being able to fur- 
nish very definite information. Col. Cook and myself advanced a 
few paces beyond our commands, for the purpose of taking such 
observations as would enable us to direct the movements of our 
regiments to the best possible advantage. "We discovered portions 
of the enemy's baggage at the distance of about one hundred yards, 
just over the point of a hill in our front. Being thus better satis- 
fied of their jjosition, and that an engagement must immediately 
occur, we accordingly deployed as rapidly as possible in line of bat- 
tle, my right resting on Col. Cook's left^ and the 3d Tennessee on 
my left. The enemy opened a terrific fire upon us about the time, or 
before we had fairly executed the deployment. The force here against 
us consisted of one battery, supported by six infantry regiments, all 
of which ultimately engaged in the fight. I ordered my entire 
command to fire and load kneeling, as in that position the main 
body of the enemy's fire would and did pass over us. 

The oflicers and men under ine, on this occasion, evinced great 
coolness, bravery, and determination for success in this most unequal 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 151 

contest. They directed their fire with unusual accuracy, which told 
desperately and rapidly upon the enemy, who, under its terrible 
effect and force, gave ground, while we advanced upon them about 
twenty paces. A further advance would liave lost, on our part, an 
advantage in position, by whicli we had been very considerably 
benefited. And although the enemy continued their retreat until 
they had gone beyond the reach of our guns, it was not deemed 
consistent with the orders for the movements of our whole army on 
that day, as made known on the previous night from Gens. Floyd, 
Pillow, and Buckner to myself and other commanders of regi- 
ments, to pursue the several forces any farther in that direction. 
Besides this, many of my arms (flint-lock muskets), by coming in 
contact with the melting snow, had become too ineflicient for fiu'ther 
use until they could be dried and put in proper order. My ordnance- 
wagons were more than a half mile distant, and the men only had a 
few rounds of ammunition each remaining in their boxes. I marched 
my regiment, therefore, back to a better position, a distance of, say 
one hundred and fifty paces, oi'dered the men to put their pieces in 
order, by drying them as rapidly as possible, sent for an additional 
supply of ammunition, made details to have my wounded taken from 
the field and properly cared foi", and threw out a small number of 
skirmishers in connection with Col. Cook, to notice the movements 
and position of the enemy, who reported that he had gone back 
beyond the Wynn's ferry road, and could not be seen at all from 
the position of our late engagement. 

I was informed on the afternoon of the 14th of February, and 
again, at a late hour of that night, by Gen. Buckner and Col. Brown, 
that, for the reasons given at the time (not material here to 
recite), the generals in command had determined to evacuate 
Donelsou and move the whole of our troops to Nashville, or 
in that direction, and orders were given me, by Col. Brown, to pre- 
pare my command accordingly, with rations, &c., for the march. I 
was further informed that, to execute this purpose, our whole army 
would, at an early hour on the morning of the loth, rnove upon the 
right wing of the Federal lines, cut our way through, and march 
out in the direction stated. The whole of the enemy's right having 
been driven back, thus, I was intbrmed, removing all fmther diffi- 
culty in the way of executing our purpose. I was every moment 
expecting to receive orders to march my regiment, together with 
the balance of our troops, in the direction of Nashville. But, be- 
fore I could get all of my dead and wounded from the field, and 
have them pi'ovided for and disposed of, an order came to me, said 



152 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

at the time to come from Gen. Pillow, to move my command im- 
mediately bade to the position from which I started on that morn- 
ing, and which I had been holding for several days. I accordingly 
relurned to my trenches. In a very few minutes after I reached my 
position, and before Col. Hanson (just to my right) had gained his 
trenches, several Federal reghnents, under command of Gen. C. F. 
Smith, commenced their attack, and took possession of a part of 
Col. Hanson's unoccupied works. Unable, under these circumstances 
and against such remarkable odds, to drive back the attacking regi- 
ments. Col. Hanson immediately fell back, with his command, on 
my hue, where, reinforced by the 14th Mississipi:)i, the 3d, 41st, 49th 
Tennessee, and parts of other commands, a long and desperate strug- 
gle ensued, closing at sunset with a decided and brilliant victory to 
our arms— the tight having lasted for at least two hours. The 
losses of the enemy, in all the engagements above referred to, as 
ascertained by subsequent visits to their grounds, were, indeed, 
very great, exceeding ours, both in killed and wounded, I must say, 
in any moderate estimate, at least seven to one. 

Besides the conflicts, already named in this report, the Federal 
forces made several attempts upon my works, but were in every in- 
stance gallantly met, and signally repulsed. 

On the night of the 15th, the whole of my command, except the 
detail made to continue the work of strengthening and extending 
our breast-works, stood to their arms, constantly expecting a re- 
newal of engagements, until about 2 o'clock of the following morn- 
ing. At this liour I received orders from brigade head-quarters to 
move my regiment as rapidly as possible to Dover, a distance of 
one and a half miles, where, I was informed, further orders would 
be given me. It was, however, well understood among all parties 
that the object of the march was to evacute our entire position. I 
reached Dover some time before daylight, and reported to Gens. 
Floyd, Pillow, and Buckner, all of whom were still there, and who 
ordered me to halt and await further directions. A messenger from 
Col. Brown's head-quarters soon came, ordering me back to my 
trenches, and, on returning to my quarters, ibund that Gen. Buck- 
uer's whole command had been surrendered. This was my first 
notice of that fact, and was thus received on Sunday morning at 
half-past 5 o'clock. 

Throughout the period covered by this report, the men and offi- 
cers of my command underwent an astonishing amount of hard labor 
and toil — suffering greatly from the want of rest, from terrible ex- 
posure and fatigue, and in the absence of nearly all the comforts 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 153 

even of camp life. But every demand upon their strength and ener- 
gy was promptly met. Every order was unhesitatingly obeyed, 
and every hardship and suffering bravely and patiently endured, 
evincing a glorious spirit of self-sacrifice and determination, now 
mentioned alike in simple justice to them and with the utmost pride 
and satisfaction to myself. On the field my entire field and staff, 
company officers and men (with scarcely a noticeable exception), 
bore themselves nobly and gallantly, displaying, on every occasion, 
a dauntless courage and patriotism, alike deserving the praises of 
their chivalrous State, and the approval of a glorious country. 

Many officers and men of my command are justly entitled to the 
merit of personal honor and distinction. Lieut. W. W. Smith, of 
company C, shot, and killed instantly on the field, fell covered with 
glory in the gallant discharge of his duties, as did the other la- 
mented dead and wounded of my regiment. With a very grateful 
recollection of my whole command for their soldierly and manly 
demeanor throughout our whole campaign, I cannot close this re- 
port without submitting Avith it acknowledgements for valuable sei*- 
vices and kind offices done me by Lieuts. Nat. Gooch, of company 
C, and John M. Douglass, of company G, who are also very justly 
entitled to all I have heretofore stated on behalf of other officers. 

Owing to the sudden and unexpected separation from my com- 
pany officers, I am unable to submit, with this report, the names of 
the killed and wounded of my regiment, and can, therefore, only 
state them in the aggregate : 

There were killed on the field 4 

Mortally wounded 6 

(Supposed) not mortally 38 

Missing - 4 

. Total 52 

The foregoing report of the conduct and action of my regiment, 
and of its casulties at Fort Donelson, I have on this day the honor 
to submit to you. Very respectfully, 

JOSEPH B. PALMER. 
Col. commanding \Sth Tennessee regiment. 



154 OFFICIAL REPOKTS OF BATTLES. 



Report of Col. Edward C. Cook, commanding Thirty- 
Second Tennessee Regiment, 

FOKT DONELSON, StEWAKT Co., Te>"N., 

February 16th, 18G2. 
Col. John C. Brown, 

Col. commanding TJdrd JBrigade, Second Divisio7i, 

Central Army, Kentucky : 

The 32d Tennessee regiment reached Fort Douelson on the night 
of the 10th inst., with five hundred and fifty-five men, rank and file, 
many of the regiment having been left sick at Russellville, Ken- 
tucky, many at Bowling Green, Kentucky, and some on furlough 
sick at home. We were placed on the left of Gen. Buckner's divis- 
ion. The entire regiment was employed making intrenchments till 
the same were finished. The enemy began to fire upon us with ar- 
tillery and sharpshooters as early as Tuesday evening the 11th. 

The weather was extremely cold, and being kept continually at 
labor and on duty, we suifered much from exposui'e. The regi- 
ment, although held in readiness at every moment, was not engaged 
in actual fight until Saturday the 15th. On Friday night we were 
ordered to have cooked rations for three days, and with knapsacks 
packed, to be ready to march at 4 o'clock next morning. I then 
learned that it had been determined by the generals in council at 
that hour, to march to the extreme left of our intrenchments, attack 
the enemy's right wing and turn it, and if we succeeded, to march 
for Nashville. The next morning at 4 o'clock, our brigade marched 
to the left of our intrenchments. Just as we were appproaching 
the extreme left of our intrenchments. Gen. Buckner ordered me 
to place my regiment in column of division under cover of the hill 
in the rear of Green's battery, and to sustain it. We remained here 
until about 10 o'clock a. m., when Gen, Pillow ordered me to move 
my regiment to the right, and to cross the intrenchments and attack 
a battery of the enemy, which was then firing at us, and seemed to 
be situated some eight hundred yards from our intrenchments. 
Just as we were marching across the intrenchments, Gen. Buckner 
and Col. Brown came up, and upon learning the order Gen. Pillow 
had given. Gen. Buckner ordered me to proceed to attack the bat- 
tery, and ordered Col. Palmer, with his regiment, to sustain me. I 
forwarded the regiment, crossed the intrenchments, threw out two 
companies as skirmishers, and. moved forward the regiment in the 
direction of the enemy's battery. The skirmishers very soon eu- 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 155 

gaged the enemy's skirmishers, drove them back, killing some, tak- 
ing five prisoners, and capturing some five minnie muskets. 

We moved forward through woods with thick undergrowth, the 
bushes were covered with snow which was melting slowly, and it 
was very difiiculf to move forward. We had advanced within 
seventy-five or a hundred yai>ds of the enemy, and he had opened 
fire upon us with his battery, when Col. Brown rode up and ordered 
ine to move my regiment to the right and attack the battery at this 
point. The bushes were very thick, and we could with great diffi- 
culty move forward. Our skirmishers fired upon the enemy, and 
rallied upon the battalion. I immediately ordered the regiment to 
kneel and fire, and to load and fire kneeling. The fire began. Col. 
Palmer, on my left immediately opened fire from his regiment. 
The filing was kept up rapidly. The regiment all the while slowly, 
but gradually, moved forward. We were protected by cover of the 
timber and hill from the enemy's shot. Lieut.-col. W. P. Moore fell 
very early in the action, wounded in the right knee, and was carried 
from the field to the hospital. This left me with no field officer to 
aid me, Major Browulow having been left sick at Russell ville — Ad- 
jutant Jones being on duty part of the day, but was not with the 
regiment in the engagement. I soon discovered many of the mus- 
kets failed to fire, the priming being wet (the most of the regiment 
being armed with inferior flint-lock muskets). After a while the 
left wing of the regiment began to fall back slowly, and then the 
right wing, in good order ; and being satisfied the condition of many 
of the guns, in order to do execution, must be wiped and dried, and 
knowing that the regiment, after falling back a short distance, would 
be entirely j)rotected from the enemy's shot, I determined to let 
them fall back. After they fell back about one hundred yards I 
halted the regiment, and ordered the men to wipe and dry their 
guns. Upon inquiry as to why they fell back, the officers informed 
me they heard an order " to fall back," and believed it came^ from 
proper authority. After the guns were cleaned, I threw out two 
companies of skirmishers, who proceeded as far as the " Wynn's 
ferry road," in which was placed the enemy's battery, when we 
attacked, and the skirmishers returned and reported that the enemy 
had retired beyond the road, and could not be seen. After waiting 
some time and receiving no orders. Col. Palmer and I, after con- 
sultation, determined to march our regiments back to the intrench- 
ments where we had crossed, and where my regiment had left 
their knapsacks. When we reached the intrenchments, Major Cosby 
gave me an order from Gen. Buckner to march my regiment imme- 



156 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

diately back to the intrenchtnents we had left in the morning. At 
this moment we felt satisfied that the Wynn's ferry road was clear, 
and the way to Nashville open. "That fortune had smiled upon us, 
and that we ought to prove to her we were worthy of her favors." 
We marched rapidly back to our intrenchments and took position in 
them. In a few minutes the enemy appeared in large force in front 
of us, and threatened to attack us until night came on. Early at 
night I received orders to have three days' cooked rations prepared, 
and with knapsacks packed to be ready to march at four o'clock next 
morning. At the appointed hour we marched out for Dover, and 
before we reached Dover we were ordered to return to our intrench- 
ments, and learned that capitulation for a surrender was going on. 
It gives me pleasure to state that the officers and privates of the 
regiment, although jaded from labor and exposure, at all times ex- 
hibited great willingness to obey, and anxiety to promptly execute 
all orders. In battle they behaved coolly and courageously, and 
not one of the regiment ever left the line or his post of duty. The 
morale of the regiment was not corrupted or destroyed, and even 
after it was known we were surrendered, we had not a single strag- 
gler from the regiment. 

During the engagement on the 15th, we lost in killed and had 
wounded in company A, commanded by Capt. Willis Worley, one 
killed, three wounded, whose names I cannot give, as I have no 
report from company A. I hereto attach- a list of the other com- 
panies of the regiment, giving the names, number engaged, and the 
killed, wounded, and missing. At the earliest moment it can be 
obtained, I will forward a list of company A, to be made a part of 
the exhibit hereto. 

Our gallant Col. Moore died from the wound he received. The 
regiment, as well as aU who knew him, deeply mourn his death. 

The surgeon, James F. Grant, Quarter-master John T. Shephard, 
Commissary E. Shields Wilson, Quarter-master Sergeant James P. 
Campbell, were all at their post and did their full duty. Capt. John 
D. Clark, a drill master, was on duty during the entire week, and 
in the engagement of the 15th. Capt. D. C. Sims, a drill master, 
assigned to my regiment, was on duty a portion of the week, but 
not in the engagement of the 15th, being reported sick. 

EECAPITULATION. 

Number of regiment, rank and file, at Fort Donelson, - 555 

" " at Donelson, not engaged on Saturday, 2 1 

" " " engaged on Satm-day, - 53-4 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 157 



Number of 


regiment. 


, killed, - 


3 


(( 




wounded and surrendered, 


- 15 


(( 




" and not surrendered, 


- 21 


(( 




missing, - - - 


1 


(( 




escaped, - - _ 


1 


(( 




wounded, . - - 


- 36 


(( 




surrendered, - . - 


- 528 



Respectfully, 

ED. C. COOK, 

Colonel 82d Tennessee Megiment. 
Fort Warrei^ July 30, 1862. 



Report of Major W. L. Doss, commanding 14th Mis- 
sissippi regiment. 

To Col. John C. BROAvk, commanding \st brigade^ 

Gen. Buckner's division : 

Sir : I have the honor to report the following operations of the 
14th regiment Mississippi Volunteers, during the engagement at 
Fort Donelson, ending on the 15th February, 1862. 

On the morning of the 15th of February, at 3 o'clock, a. m,, I re- 
ceived orders to have my regiment in readiness to move in two 
hours. About daylight we took up line of march in the direction 
of our left wing. It was with great difficulty that we progressed, 
owing to the country, which was hilly or mountainous, and covered 
with snow and ice. 

During our march shells were constantly falling around us, with- 
out doing us any damage, until we halted in rear of the intrcnch- 
ments, where I formed the regiment in close column by company. 
We were protected to some extent from the shells of the enemy by 
forming on the hill-side, which was thickly set with undei'growth. 
At this place Capt. J. L. Crigler, of company " G," was severely 
wounded in the right arm, by the explosion of a shell, and was un- 
able to proceed farther with his company. 

I received orders to deploy two companies as skirmishers, and 
soon after the battalion was ordered to dislodge a battery in posi- 
tion, apparently about four hundred yards to our front. The regi- 
ment moved off by the right-flank, until it reached our intrench- 



158 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

ments, when' it advanced in line of battle. We very soon came to 
a small field, containing about ten or fifteen acres, where our march 
was somewhat impeded by an abatis made by the enemy. At this 
point we were fired upon by their skirmishers. I ordered the bat- 
talion not to return the fire. The right wing of the battalion was 
faced to tlie right, and marched up the hill some distance under a 
heavy fire ; then faced to the front, and ordered to open fire upon 
the enemy. In the meantime the left wing had marched through 
a gap in the abatis, faced to the right and rejoined the four right com- 
panies, when a general engagement ensued. At this point Capt. F. 
M. Rogers, of Company " E." fell, gallantly cheering his men on. 
The engagement at this point continued for about an ho«ur or more ; 
the men displaying great coolness and bravery,* and the oflicers 
great gallantry. The regiment suffered severely at this point, and 
was ordered to retreat by Major Cassady, who had been appointed 
by Gen. Buckner to assist me (Col. Baldwin being in command of 
a brigade on the extreme left). After falling back some two hun- 
dred yards, I endeavored to rally the regiment on the 18th Tennes- 
see regiment, but Major Cassaday insisted and gave the order to 
the regiment to fall back to the intrenchments, which was done. 
After remaining there about one hour, we were again ordered out 
by Gen. Buckner to support a section of Capt. Graves' battery. 
We marched down the Wynn's ferry road about one mile, and halted 
on the top of a hill by Gen. Buckner, when the enemy's battery 
opened a galling fire of shot and shell upon us. It was soon ascei*- 
tained that Capt. Graves' battery could do but little good there, 
and was ordered back (I think by Gen. Pillow), whereupon my 
regiment was ordered to take its original position on the right. 
Upon our arrival there we found that the enemy were in possession 
of the intrenchments on the extreme right, which had been occupied 
by the 2d Kentucky regiment, and which was then engaged with 
the enemy to regain their original position. 

My regiment was immediately ordered to their support, and on 
arriving there we found the enemy advancing upon us in considerable 
numbers, when we were ordered to open fire upon them, which was 
kept up from about 3 o'clock until about dark, when the enemy re- 
tired. The men slept upon their arms during the night. About 1 
o'clock I received your order to have my regiment ready to march 
in an houi-, which order was countermanded about daylight. 
Respectfully submitted, 

W. L. DOSS, 
Major commanding \Uh regiment 3Iississijp2^i Volicnteers. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 159 



LIST OF KILLED, WOUNDED, AND MISSING OF THE FOURTEENTH 
MISSISSIPPI REGIMENT. 

Co. A— Wo^mded.—T. A. Miller, G. J. Everett, J. P. Watts, G. 
M. Hill, Wm. Rogers. 

Co. B—Wowided.—K. S. Jack, C. C. McCracken. 

Co. G— grilled.— J.J. Clark, J. G. Watt, G. T. James, R. M. Bell. 
Wounded. — J. E, Davis, J. F. Merchant, J. H. Montgomery, W. H. 
Petty, Lieut. F. Duquercron, L. L. Cooper, W. H. Peebles, W. H. 
Hogan, Joe White, T. T. Wetherly, Willis Cooke, Wm. H. Pierce, 
Corporal McNatt, J. W. Hardy. 

Co. D — Killed. — Amos Carter. Wounded. — N". Harris, Lieut. 
Wm. M. McGowen, T. King, C. Hoclgers, J. Carter, C. D. Brashier, 
R. Herring. 

Co. E— ^iY^ec?.— Capt. F. M. Rogers, Private Elliott. Wounded. 
Sergeant J. G. Crump, Sergeant Nabers, Privates Clarke, Nash, 
Nash, Hamack, Bickerstaff, Simms, Green. 'Missing. — Carter, 
Allison. 

Co. F — Killed. — Dudley Truman, N. B. Holmes. Woimded. — 
Lieut. Stephens, Private S. Boggett, J. G. Moore, J. P. Webb, N. 
Moore, Tom Moore, Tom Crow, Joe Ingram, James La, John 
Woodall, John Kirpkatrick. Three missing, names not given. 

Co. G — Killed. — L. Murphy, Sergent J. L. Perkins. Womided. 
Capt. J. L. Craigler, J, S. Tucker, T. Donoho, J. T. Peters, J. E. 
Reeves, A. J. Rolling, J. M. Rollins, P. W. Selby, B. L. Smith, 
James Stallings, W. H. Ward. 

Co. H — Killed. — Sergeant B, F. Bearman, Private Mclnis. 
Wounded, — Washington Jones, J. N. Alexander, W. T. Fisher, R. 
L. Hill, James Horden, J. D. Addy, R. L. Mayes, Corporal Barnes, 
Jos. Fairchild, G. M. Marcy, Capt. S. J. Gohlson. Missing. — Robt. 
West, Wm. West, H. Coats, Wm. McDowell. 

Co. I — Killed. — J. J. Johnson, J. L. Sadler, Patrick Barrow. 
Wowided — James Brock, James West, W. L. Stewart, W. Kendal, 
W. Moss, J. T. Johnson, Joel Butler, William Beales, James 
Tyrone. 

Co. K— Killed.— J. F. Williams. Wounded— R. C. Howard, A. 
Kirk, — Sappington, — Witherspoon, — McCowan, R. Reagh, 
3Iissing. — Buckingham. 

Total — killed, 17; wounded, 84; missing, 9. 

W. L. DOSS, 
Major cosnmanding \Uh regiment Mississippi Vols. 



160 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

Report of Col. Robert Farquharson, commanding Forty- 
First regiment Tennessee Volunteers. 

In obedience to an order from Gen. Pillow, the regiment arrived 
at Fort Donelson about ten o'clock, a. m,, Thursday, February 13th, 
1862. 

Field Officers, Commissioned and Non- Com/missioned, Staff 
Officers. — Robei't Farquhai'son, Col. ; Robt. G. McClure, Lieut.-col.; 
Thomas G. Millei-, Major; Jake Anthony, Lieut, and Adj.; Albert 
G. Clopton, Surgeon ; Wm. B. Smith, Assistant Surgeon ; Edward 
A. Norton, Acting Assistant Surgeon ; John K. Farris, Hospital 
Steward and Acting Assistant Surgeon ; Thomas B. McNaughton, 
Commissary of Subsistence ; John Gordon, Acting Commissary of 
Subsistence ; W. E. Barringer, 1st Lieut, and drill instructor; Wra. 
G. Reed, 1st Lieut, and drill instructor; John L. Dusenbury, Ser- 
geant Major ; Erwin P. Jett, Quarter-master Sergeant ; Albert 
Frierson, Ordnance Sergeant. 

Companies. — A. — W. W. James, Capt. 1 1st Lieut., 2 2d 
Lieuts., 3 sergeants, 4 corporals, 65 privates ; aggregate 76. 

B. — Wm. L. Brown, CajDt. 2 2d Lieuts., 4 sergeants, 3 corpo- 
rals, 48 privates ; aggregate 58. 

C — J. D. Scott, Capt. 1 1st Lieut., 1 2d Lieut., 4 sergeants, 
2 corporals, 44 privates ; aggregate 53, 

D. — J. H. George, Capt. 1 2d Lieut., 4 sergeants, 1 corporal, 
53 privates ; aggregate 60. 

E. — Lieut. Fondvill, commanding. 1 1st Leiut., 1 2d Lieut,, 
2 sergeants, 4 corporals, 33 privates; aggregate 41. 

F. — A. S. Boone, Capt. 2 2d Lieuts., 4 sergeants, 1 corporal, 
59 privates ; aggregate 67. 

G. — C. H. Bean, Capt. 1 1st Lieut., 2 2d Lieuts., 2 sergeants, 
2 corporals, 41 privates; aggregate 49. 

H. — J. C. Osburn, Capt. 4 sergeants, 3 corporals, 46 privates ; 
aggregate 54. 

I. — A. M. Kieth, Capt. 1 1st Lieut., 2 2d Lieuts, 4 sergeants, 
2 corporals, 44 privates ; aggregate 54. 

K. — J. A. Moore, Capt. 1 1st Lieut., 2 2d Lieuts., 3 sergeants, 
4 corporals, 37 privates ; aggregate 48 — 560. 

Field officers, commissioned and non-commissioned, staff, &c., 
i&c, 15. 

Aggregate, 575. 

Remarks and Casualties. — Thomas B. McNaughton, Commis- 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 161 

sary of Subsistence, killed February 13th, 1862. John K. Wiley, 
l^rivate, company C, killed February 15th, 18G2. 

Mark Collier, private, company A, slightly wounded February 
13th, 1862. 

H. M. Carter, private, company A, wounded February 14th, 1862. 

George W. Alexander, private, company A, sick and missing ; A. 
P. Blackwell, private, company A, sick and missing ; L. M, Ruse, 
private, company A, sick and missing ; J. M. Johnson, private, 
company A, sick and missing; Young Taylor, private, company A, 
sick and missing ; N". B. Reese, private, company A, missing ; N. 
S. Ruse, private, company A, missing ; Mark Redd, private, com- 
pany A, missing ; H. D. Ploots, 1st sergeant, company A, missing; 
G. W. Lane, private, company A, missing ; Joseph Pamplin, pri- 
vate, company A, missing ; J. D. Cook, private, company A, miss- 
ing ; George Blackwell, private, company B, sick and missing ; 
Nicholas Burns, private, company B, missing ; John W. Formwalt, 
private, company C, missing ; Jessie C. Franklin, 1st sergeant, 
company D, missing ; James J. Alexander, private, company D, 
sick and missing ; John W. Wicks, private, company D, missing ; 
James Hill, private, company E, wounded ; George J. Hamby, pri- 
vate, company E, wounded; E. L. Brobston, private, company E, 
missing ; H. W. Smiley, private, company E, missing ; R. M. 
Drumgoole, private, company F, wounded ; George Gregory, 
private, company F, wounded ; H. A. Wilson, private, comj^any F, 
sick and missing ; Charles Driver, private, company I, missing ; 
William Driver, private, company I, missing ; Peter Williams, pri- 
vate, company I, missing ; E. M. Patterson, private, company K, 
missing ; W. W. Koonce, private, company K, sick and missing. 

EECAPIULATION. 

Went into the fight with 575 aggregate. 

Killed. — T. B. McNaughton, commissary, and J. K, Wiley, pri- 
vate, company C. 

Wounded, six. — Mark Collier, company A ; H. M. Carter, com- 
pany A ; James Hill, company E ; George B. Hamby, company E ; 
R. M. Drumgoole, company F ; George Gregory, company F. 

Missing, 26. — Non-commissioned officers and privates. 

The regiment executed all the orders given to it, and, as far as I 
know, each man did his duty. 

R. FARQUHARSON, 
Col. 41si regiinent Ten?iessee Volunteers. 

11 



162 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATILES. 

Report of Col. A. Heiman, commanding Brigade. 

• Richmond, August 9th, 1862. 

Major G. B. Cosby, A. A. General. 

gjjj. — My imprisonment since the surrender of the troops at Fort 
Donelson, prevented me from repoi'ting the operations of the Bi-ig- 
ade under my command during the action at Fort Donelson before 
now. In the absence of Gen. Pillow, who commanded the Division 
to which my Brigade was attached, it becomes my duty, and I have 
the honor to submit to you the following report : 

After the battle of Fort Henry, on the 6th of February last, I 
was directed by Gen. Tilghman, then in command of the defences 
of the Teimessee and Cumberland rivei's, to retreat with the garris- 
on of the Fort by the upper road to Fort Donelson. The garrison 
(Consisted, besides the company of artillery which was surrendered 
with the Fort, of two Brigades the first commanded by myself, 
and the second by Col. Drake, consisting of an aggregate of about 
2,600 men. After a very tedious march, we reached Fort Donelson 
at 12 o'clock at night, where Col. Head, of the 30th Tennessee, was 
•in command during the absence of Gen. Tilghman. Expecting the 
arrival of Gen. B. R. Johnson and other general officers in a few 
days, I did not assume command, which would have been my duty, 
being next in command to Gen. Tilghman. 

Gen. Johnson arrived on the 8th, Gen. Pillow on the 9th, Gen. 
Buckner on the 12th, and Gen. Floyd on the 13th of February. 

The Brigade assigned to my command consisted of the 10th Ten- 
nessee, Lieut.-col. McGavock, 42d Tennessee, Col. Quarles, 48th 
Tennessee, Col. Voorhies, 53d Tennessee, Col. Abernathy, 2'7th 
Alabama, Col. Hughes, and Capt. Maney's Light Battery, amount- 
ing in all to an aggregate of about sixteen hundred (1600) men. 

This Brigade formed the right of Gen. Pillow's Division, and was 
in line on the left of the Division of Gen. Buckner, who commanded 
the right wing. 

The ground I occupied in line of defence was a hill somewhat in 
Ihe shape of a V, with the apex at the angle, which was the advance 
point as well as the centre of my command, and nearly the centre 
of the whole line of defence. From this point the ground descend- 
ed abruptly on each side to a valley. The valley on my right was 
about five hundred yards in width, and divided my command from 
Gen. Bucknei"s left wing. The one on my left was about half that 
width, and run between my left wing and the Brigade commanded 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 163 

by Col. Drake. These two valleys united about a half a mile in the 
rear. The ground in front of my line (2600 feet in length) was 
floping down to a ravine, and was heavily timbered. 

We commenced to dig rifle pits and felling abatis on the 11th, 
and continued this work during the following night, under the di- 
rections of Major Gilmer and Lieut. Morris, Engineers, the latter 
belonging to Gen. Tilghman's stafl^. The pits were occupied by 
Lieut.- col. McGavock's Regiment on the right, Col. Voorhies' Regi- 
ment on the left. Cols. Abernathy's and Hughes' Regiments and 
Maney's Battery in the centre. Col. Quarles' Regiment I held in 
reserve, but several of his companies also had to occupy the pits, 
the other Regiments not being sufficient to cover the whole line. 
Col. Head, 30th Tennessee Regiment, occupied the valley between 
my command and Col. Drake's Brigade. I was afterwards informed 
that this Regiment also was placed under my command, but the 
Col. not having reported to me, I did not know it. 

In the meantime the enemy commenced forming his line of invest- 
ment, and his pickets were seen in every direction. Early on the 
morning of the 12th he had two batteries placed in range of my 
position, one on my left and front, and the other on the other side 
of the valley on my right. Both were in the edge of the woods 
and under cover, while Capt. Maney's Battery on the summit of the 
hill was entirely exposed, not only to the enemy's artillery, but also 
to their sharpshooters. No time could yet have been spared to 
protect his guns by a parapet, besides we were ill provided with 
tools for that purpose. However, our battery had some advantage 
over the battery on my left in altitude, and had also a full range 
of a large and nearly level field to the left, which the enemy had to 
cross to attack Col. Drake's position, or my own from that direction. 
In that respect and some other points the position of my battery 
was superb. The enemy's battery on my right had only range of 
part ■ of my right wing, but was in a better position to operate on 
Gen. Buckner's left wing. Both batteries opened fire at 7 o'clock 
in the morning, and kept it up until 5 o'clock in the evening, firing 
at any position on our line within their range. Their fire was 
returned by Maney's Battery, Graves' Battery of Col. Brown's com- 
mand, and a battery at Col. Drake's position. The enemy's guns 
were nearly all rifled, which gave them a great advantage in range 
and otherwise. However, with the exception of the loss of two 
artillery horses, my command met with no other serious casualties 
on that day. At night I strengthened my pickets and directed 
Lieut.-col. McGavock to throw a strong picket across the valley on 



164 OFFICIAL REPuKTS OF BATTLES, 

my right. There were no rifle-pits or any other defences in that 
valley, although a road leading from Dover to Paris landing on the 
Tennessee river runs through it. Col. Cook, of Col. Brown's Brig- 
ade, co-operated with Lieut.-col. McGavock in guarding this point 
afterwards. Strong parties were kept at work during the whole 
night in improving the rifle-pits and felling abatis. 

Daylight next raoi'ning (13th) showed that the enemy was not idle 
either. During the night he placed another battery in position on 
my left, and the one on my right he had considerably advanced, to 
get a better range on my right and centre,.and on Capt. Graves' 
battery. He had also thrown across the main valley two lines of 
infantry (advance and rear), about three-quarters of a mile from 
our line, and the firing of all his batteries was resumed early in the 
morning, and was promptly answered by our batteries. One of our 
gunners had both his hands shot otf while in the act of inserting the 
friction primer. 

At about 11 o'clock my pickets came in, informing me of the 
advance of a large column of the enemy. Having myself been con- 
vinced of that fact, and finding that they were deploying their col- 
luuns in the woods in front of my right and centre, I directed Capt. 
Maney to shell the woods, and use grape and canister when they 
came within the proper range, which was promptly executed. 
Capt. Graves seeing the enemy advancing upon my line, with excel- 
lent judgment, opened bis battery upon them across the valley. In 
the meantime, their sharijshooters had approached my line through 
the -woods, fired their minie rifles from behind the trees, killing and 
Avounding Maney's gunners in quick succession. First Lieut. Burns 
was one of the first who fell. Second Lieut. Massey was also mor- 
tally wounded, but the gallant Maney, with the balance of his men, 
stood by their guns like true heroes, and kept firing into their lines, 
•which steadily advanced within forty yards of our rifle-pits, deter- 
mined to force my right wing and centre. Now the firing com- 
menced from the whole line of rifle-pits in quick succession. This 
constant roar of musketry, from both lines, was kept up for about 
fifteen minutes, when the enemy were repulsed, but they* were ral- 
lied, and vigorously attacked us the second and third times, but with 
the same result, and they finally retired. They could not stand 
our galling fire. The dry leaves on the ground were set on fire by 
our batteries, and I regret to state that several of their wounded 
peiished in the flames. The pickets I sent out after their retreat, 
brought in about sixty muskets and other equipments they had left 
behind. I learned from two prisoners who were brought in, that 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 165 

the attack was made by the l7th, 48th, and 49th Illinois regiment*, 
and have since learned from their own report that tliey lost in that 
attack forty killed and two hundred wounded. Oui- loss I cannot 
accurately state, nor am I able to give the names of killed and 
wounded, as subsequent events prevented me from getting reports 
of the different commanders; but I am sure that my loss is not 
over ten killed and about thirty wounded, nearly all belonging to 
Gapt. Maney's artillery and CoL Abernathy's regiment, which was 
at that time under the command of Lieut--col. Winston. The firing 
from their batteries continued all day. Late in the evening. Gen. 
Pillow reinforced me with a section of a light battery under Capt. 
Parker. The night was unusually cold and disagreeable. Snow 
and sleet fell during the whole night ; nevertheless, we constructed 
a formidable parapet in front of the battery, in which I was actively 
assisted by Major Grace, of the 10th Tennessee. This hard and 
most unpleasant labor was chiefly performed by Col. Quarles' regi- 
ment. It Avas a horrible night, and the troops suffered dreadfully, 
being without blankets. 

Next day (14th), finding the enemy again in line across the valley, 
and believing that he would attempt to force my line on my right, 
I directed Capt. Maney to move a section of his battery down the 
hill in range of the valley. The advance of the enemy towards this 
direction would then have been checked by Graves' and Maney's 
batteries, and the fires of McGavock's and Cook's regiments, from 
the right and left; but no demonstration was made in that direc- 
tion, although I considered it the weakest point in our line. 

During the whole day my command was exposed to a cross fire 
of the enemy's batteries, and were much annoyed by their sharp- 
shooters. At II o'clock at night I was summoned to attend a con- 
sultation of general oflicers at Gen. Floyd's headquarters. 

The general opinion prevailed that the place could not be held 
against at least treble the number of our forces, besides their gun- 
boats, and that they could cut off our communication at any time 
and tbrce a surrender, therefore it was agreed to attack the enemy's 
right wing in force at 4 o'clock in the morning, and then to act 
according to circumstances, either to continue the fight or to cut 
through their lines and retreat towards Nashville. 

Gen. Buckner was to move a little later and attack the enemy's 
flank at the moment he was to give way to our forces in his front. 
I was directed to hold my position. Col, Bailey was to remain in 
the fort (near the river), and Head's regimetit was to occupy the 
vacated rifle-ijits of Gen. Buckner's command. I doubted very 



1Q6 OFFICIAL KEPOEIS OF BATTLES. 

much that these i^ositions, isolated as they were from each other, 
could be held if attacked, and I stated my fears to Gen. Floyd, who 
replied, if pressed, to fall back on the fort, or act as circumstances 
would dictate. At the appointed hour on. the 15th, the different 
brigades moved to their assigned positions. 

Major Rice, aid-de-eamp to Gen. Pillow, brought an order to me 
from Gen. Buckner, to send a regiment forward, and hold the 
Wynn's ferry road until the arrival of Gen. Buckner's division. 
This duty I assigned to Col. Quarles' I'egiment, who returned after 
the fulfilment of this order. Major Cunningham, Chief of Artillery, 
directed by Gen. Floyd, reported to me that two light batteries 
were at my disposal. Having more guns than I could use to an 
advantage, and not a sufficient number of gunners to work them,'I- 
respectfiilly declined the offer, but requested him to send me effi- 
cient gunners for at least one battery. This was done. Major 
Cunningham came with them and remained with me for some time. 
During the day my guns were u&ed to the best advantage, and at 
one time with excellent effect against the enemy's cavalry, who im- 
mediately after were pursued by Forrest's cavalry. 

About noon I was directed by an aid-de-camp of Gen. Buckner 
to guard the fire of my battery, as he intended to send a column to 
charge one of the enemy's batteries. Seeing these regiments pnss 
my left in the open field, and being aware that my left wing could 
not be attacked at that time, I sent two regiments from my left 
(Col. Voorhies and Col. Hughes) to their support, but before they 
could reach the ground, the three attacking regiments were with- 
drawn. The battery was not taken, and my regiments returned. 
Early in the evening the different troops were ordered back to their 
respective rifle-pits, but the fighting continued at different points 
until night. At 2 o'clock in the morning of the 16th, Lieut. Mer- 
man, aid-de-eamp to Gen. Johnson, brought the order to vacate the 
rifle-pits without the least noise, and to follow the movement of 
the troops on my left, stating at the same time that it was the in- 
tention to fight through their lines before the break of day. All 
the forces were concentrated near Dover, under the command of 
Gen. Johnson. In the meantime white flags were placed on the 
works of our former lines, and by the time the sun rose above the 
horizon, our forces were surrendered. 

Much credit is due to Capts. Maney and Parker, of the artillery, 
for their gallant conduct during the action, as well as to many other 
officers and men, whom, in the absence of reports from their respec- 
tive coiam.anders, I am unable to pai-ticuloj'ize, but it gives me great 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 167 

pleasure to state, that with very few exceptions, they all have clone 
their duty like brave and gallant soldiers. 

To Capt. Leslie Ellis, Acting Assistant-adjutant General, and my 
aid-de-camp, Capt. Bolen, I am particularly indebted for their un- 
tiring exertions in assisting me in the performance of my duties. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

A. HEIMAN, Colonel commanding brigade. 



Report of the 42d Tennessee regiment, at the Battle 
of Fort Donelson, ending February 16, 1862. 

Columbian Hotel, Richmond, Va., 

August 11, 1862. 
To Brig.-gen. Bucknek : 

Sir: The 42d Tennessee regiment, Col. Quarles, was quartered 
at Clarksville, Tenn., and on Wednesday, the 12th of February, re- 
ceived orders from Brig.-gen, Pillow to proceed to Fort Donelson, 
where we arrived next morning on a transport under a heavy fire. 
The comiDanies were formed on the boat and marched off in regular 
order, and in passing through the village of Dover, we had two or 
three men wounded, one mortally, by the enemy's shells. We were 
consigned to Col. Heiman's brigade, where a hot fire was then be- 
ing carried on. Three companies were thrown into the trenches on 
the flank of Col. Abernathy's regiment ; the balance were retained 
as a support. Soon after our arrival the fii'ing ceased, and the enemy 
withdrew. In the course of the evening the whole regiment was 
thrown into the trenches, where they remained until Saturday 
morning, with but little skirmishing, when the regiment was ordered 
about half a mile to the left and again placed in the trenches. Here 
it was not designated to what brigade the regiment belonged.. A 
heavy conflict was here being waged in our front about 1 o'clock, 
A. M. I believe it was your brigade engaged, and it was here the 
coolness and daring of Col. Quarles first became conspicuous. The 
regiment on his flank began to leave the trenches under a heavy fire 
from the enemy's batteries. Col. Quarles rallied the stragglers and 
returned them to the trenches. The regiment remained here until 
about 4 o'clock, p. m., when we were ordered to the extreme right, 
where the enemy Avere reported to have taken some of our trenches, 



168 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Cold and benumbed as were the troops, they double-quicked for ono 
and a half miles through the mud, slush, ice, and snow, formed in 
front of the enemy, and with a brisk fire of some twenty minutes 
caused the enemy to retire. 

I believe you were present, and know with what gallantry it was 
done. Before closing my report, I will call your attention to the 
cool, gallant conduct of Col. Quarles. He was always at the head 
of his regiment, and set a gallant example for his officers and men. 

The loss of the regiment was eleven wounded, four mortally. 
The number engaged, four hundred and ninety-eight, rank and file. 

The above report is respectfully submitted. 

T. McGINNIS, Acting Adj. 42<:? Te7in. regiment. 



Report of Colonel John W. Head. 

Chattanooga, Tennessee, August 23, 1862. 
To S. Cooper, 

Adj. -Gen. Confederate States: 

Sir : The surrender of Fort Donelsou having prevented me from 
making a regular report, by the advice of Gen. Buckner I respect- 
fully submit the following to you : 

In the organization of the troops at Fort Donelson by Gen. Pillow, 
after the fall of Fort Henry, the 49th regiment of Tennessee volun- 
teers, commanded by Col. Bailey, the 50th commanded by Col. Sugg, 
and the 30th commanded by myself, were placed under my command 
as a brigade, and- ordered to garrison the fort. On Wednesday, the 
12th day of February, two of the enemy's gunboats ascended the 
river and opened a fire upon the river batteries and fort. This was 
continued but a short time, and resulted in no injury to us. 

On Wednesday evening the 30th regiment was ordered by Gen. 
Pillow to take position in the outer line of defence between the 
right of the brigade commanded by Col Drake and the left of the 
brigade commanded by Col. Heiman. 

The enemy were encamped, in foi-ce, in front of the position. I 
accompanied the regiment, leaving the fort garrisoned by the 49th 
and 50th, under the immediate command of Col. Bailey. The men 
were immediately put to work preparing rifle-pits for their protec- 
tion. The pits were completed by Thursday morning. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 169 

We were fired upon occasionally during the fight on Thursday, 
but the enemy not being in range of our guns, it was not returned 
by us. 

During the bombardment of the fort and river batteries on Friday 
by the enemy from their boats, our position Avas in range of their 
fire. The oflicers and men, however, behaved with coolness and 
gallantry. 

About two o'clock on Saturday morning, I received orders to 
report my regiment to Gen. Buckner on the right wing. This I did 
without delay. I was ordered by Gen. Buckner to occupy with my 
regiment the line of defence before held by his command, and it 
attacked and overpowed, to fall back into the fort. 

The trenches to be held covered a distance of about three-quarters 
of a mile. The regiment numbered about four hundred and fifty 
men fit for duty. The companies of Capts. Carson and Sample were 
placed in the pits on the extreme right, before held by the regiment 
of Col. Hanson ; the company of Capt. Martin was held as a reserve. 
The three companies were placed under Major Turner, with instruc- 
tion to report the first appearance of the enemy. The balance of 
the regiment was disposed of along the pits occupied by the remain- 
der of Gen. Buckner's forces. During the morning a brisk fire was 
kept up with the enemy's sharpshooters, resulting in a few casualties 
on both sides. 

About two o'clock, p. m., the forces of Gen. Buckner commenced 
arriving at their encampments from the conflict with the enemy on 
their right wing, my regiment still occupying the pits. About four 
o'clock, p. M., and before the regiment of Col. Hanson could be ar- 
ranged in the pits, the enemy in heavy force attacked the three 
companies under Major Turner on the extreme right. They held 
their position with great gallantry, pouring a destructive fire into 
the ranks of the enemy, until he passed between the pits and over- 
powered them. They then fell back across a raviae on the next 
hill, and in connection with other forces resumed the fight. I imme- 
diately reported the facts to Gen. Buckner, who ordered out a part 
of his command to sustain us. Seeing that the soldiers of Gen. 
Buckner's command were greatly exhausted from the severe conflict 
they had been engaged in with the enemy in the forenoon, and that 
a bold and desperate effort was being made t^ force us back, I 
ordered the 49th and the right wing of the 50th regiments from the 
fort to sustain us. This I was forced to do Avithout consultation 
with or orders from Gen. Buckner, in consequence of his position 
rallying and bringing his men into the engagement. The left wing 



170 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

of the 50th was left in the fort, under Lieut.-col, Lockhart, with 
orders to report i^romptly the first demonstration against the fort, 
I also ordered the companies of Capts. Jones and Lovell, of the 30th, 
from their position in the trenches, it being out of the range of the 
enemy to sustain their comrades on the right. The remainder of 
the 3 0th were in position and engaged in the fight. 

Lieut.-col. Robb, of the 49th, was mortally wounded while aiding 
in bringing the regiment into the fight. He was an officer of high 
moral worth, beloved by his command, and acted with commendable 
courage. His death was a serious loss to the service. Cols. Bailey 
and Sugg gallantly led their commands into the action. Their men 
fought with great coolness and courage, and contributed very mate- 
rially in repulsing the enemy. Indeed all the officers and men under 
my command, although imperfectly drilled, discharged their duty, 
and are entitled to the thanks of the country. They suffered much 
from exposure in the sleet and snow, for want of sleep and food, but 
they bore it without a murmur. Lieut.-col. Murphy, of the 30th, 
was confined during the greater part of the week to his bed from 
sickness, but, when able, was with the command and rendered effi- 
cient service. 

Company A, of the 30th, commanded by Capt. Bidwell, was in 
charge of one of the river batteries, and both officers and men won 
for themselves the praise of all who witnessed their heroic conduct. 
During the engagement I also ordered two of the heavy guns in the 
fort to open upon the enemy. About eleven o'clock Saturday night, 
I received orders to march my brigade into Dover immediately, to 
join the army in the evacuation of the j^lace. By two o'clock, a. m., 
I was in Dover with my command, but was then ordered back to 
camj^s, information having been received that the jDlace was sur- 
rounded. I was. also advised that a surrender was determined upon, 
and that the command had been transferred to Gen. Buckner. I 
was suffering from exposure, and threatened with pneumonia. 

When it was known that a surrender was determined upon, the 
surgeon of the 30th advised me that if I was taken prisoner in my 
condition it might cost me my life. I called upon Gen. Buckner, 
stated the facts to him, and asked his advice as to the propriety of 
my escaping. He replied that it was a matter that I must determine 
for myself; that he felt it his duty to remain and share the fate of 
his men. Feeling that I could be of no service to my command or 
to the country by a surrender, I left the encampment and made my 
escape up the river. On my return I reported myself to Gen, A. S. 
Johnston, at Murfreesboro', for duty. He assigned me none. I was 



OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 171 

unwilling to retain my commission imder the circumstances, and 
tendered my resignation, the acceptance of which was, as I was 
advised, recommended by Gen. Johnston. 

JOHN W, HEAD, 
Colonel Commanding Brigade. 



Report of Col. Roger W. Hanson, commanding Second 
Kentucky regiment. 

Richmond, Va., Aug. 8th, 1862. 
To Major G. B. Cosby, A. A. General. 

On the day of February, in pursuance of orders, I proceeded 

■with my regiment upon the cars from Russellville, Kentucky, to 
Clarksville, Tennessee. When I arrived there, I was ordered by 
Gen. Pillow to embark immediately for Fort Donelson, I arrived 
there that night. Gen. Bushrod Johnson accompanied us, and when 

we arrived, he took command. Gen. Pillow arrived on the , 

and soon after his arrival he placed the troops in the position after- 
wards held by them. I was assigned to the extreme right of the 
line, extending to the right of Col, Palmer's regiment, to a slough 
formed by the high state of water in the river. The position was 
about half a mile in length, and was a protection in front and to the 
right of the original line of defence marked out for the Fort. I 
was directed to construct rifle-pits, which I did, locating them more 
than a hundred yards apart, at jDoints best commanding the ap- 
proaches to the position. They were made in a day and a night, and 
were necessarily very imperfect. I was directed to give up my 
tools to be used upon other parts of the defences. On Wednesday 
the 12th February, the enemy made his appearance in large force, 
pressing around in our front, with the evident intention of investing 
our position. Nothing was done to oppose or prevent his progress, 
and the following morning found his lines extending from the point 
of their disembarking to a point on the river above our position. 
On Thursday morning, the enemy made three several attacks upon 
my position — in all of which they were repulsed with but slight loss 
upon our part and very heavy upon theirs. In resisting these 
attacks, I was greatly assisted by Porter's battery upon the left — 
it always fired at the right time and to the right place. On Thurs- 
day night I was reinforced by Capt. Jackson's Vii-ginia artillery — 



172 OFFICIAL KKi'OKTS OF BATTLES. 

four pieces. Although tlie niglit was cold and iuclement, and the 
men much exhausted from tlie day's fighting and several days of 
hard work, we succeeded in getting these pieces in good position 
and well protected. On Friday I was reinforced also by Col. 
Palmer's regiment. We remained under arms and in ranks all day 
Friday, expecting the attack to be renewed. The firing of the 
sharpshooters was incessant from Thursday morning until the sur- 
render, disturbing and almost destroying the repose of my command. 

On Saturday morning I was conducted by yourself to the position 
assigned us, as a reserved regiment and a supporting force for 
Graves' artillery. I was directed not to leave my trendies until I 
was relieved by a Tennessee regiment from the Fort. The failure 
of this regiment to arrive as soon as contemplated, delayed me in 
reaching the point assigned me. A small detachment of Tennes- 
seeans arrived, and I placed them in the trenches, and immediately 
thereafter moved rapidly to the battle field. 

I remained in rear or near Graves' battery, under the immediate 
supervision of Gen. Buckner, until about noon, when Col. Baldwin, 
of Mississipj^i, announced to me that he was out of ammunition, and 
stated that unless he could get ammunition and reinforcements, 
there was great danger of losing the ground which had been won. 
I had near by a wagon of ammunition, and with the perseverance 
of Quarter-master Estep and Lieut, Semple, the ammunition was 
soon supplied. Previous to this period, some one, mounted, and 
purporting to be a staff officer, approached the regiment and or- 
dered off two of the left companies to reinforce Col. Baldwin's 
command. These two companies, supposing it to be the order of 
Gen. Pillow or Buckner, moved off at a double quick, and were 
soon engaged with the enemy, and against greatly superior num- 
bers. 

Col. McCausland, of Virginia, arrived, and said that unless they 
\^ere reinforced, the enemy would retake what they had gained ; 
that after four hours of hard fighting, the enemy were bringing 
forward new troops, and in overwhelming numbers. I examined 
the state of the contest. I saw Col. Forrest make two gallant but 
unsuccessful charges. I saw that the enemy were gradually diiving 
us back. My men were eager for the fight. I felt confident I 
could dislodge the enemy and drive them from their position. I 
sent for Gen, Buckner ; he had gone to the right, and was conduct- 
ing another movement. There was no time for delay. I concluded 
to take the responsibility and make the effort. 

I marched the regiment by the front across the abatis, a distance 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 173 

of more than a quarter of a mile. "When I reached the little ra- 
vine where Forrest was with his cavalry, I halted the regiment, 
and was joined by the two detached companies. In front of us 
was an open space, which had formerly been occupied as a camp. 
This space was about two hundred yards in width. Beyond this 
space, in the timber and thick under-growth, the enemy were post- 
ed. I directed the regiment, when the command was given, to 
march at quick time across this space, and not to fire a gun \mtil 
they reached the woods in which the enemy were posted. The 
order was admirably executed, and although we lost fifty men in 
killed and wounded, in crossing this space, not a gun was fired until 
the woods were i*eached. The enemy stood their ground until we 
were within forty yards of them, when they fled in great confusion, 
under a most destructive fire. This was not, strictly speaking, a 
charge bayonets, but it would have been one if the enemy had not 
fled. 

Graves' battery was then moved up, and my regiment moved 
forward several hundred yards. While Graves was moving up his 
ammunition, and other preparations were being made to hold this 
position, the order came from Gen. Pillow to return to the trenches. 
Up to this period the success was complete. 

When I returned to my position, and before the companies had 
reached the trenches, the enemy attacked in large force and took 
them. I fell back to the original line of defence, and being rein- 
forced by several regiments, this position was retrieved ; Gen. 
Buckner, at this point, being present and in command. This posi- 
tion was a stronger one than the one lost, and every eflEbrt was made 
that night to construct defences, but the men were so exhausted, 
from labor and loss of sleep, that it was utterly impossible. I will 
take the liberty to add, that up to the time Avhen we were ordered 
back to the trenches, our success was complete and our escape 
secure. 

It is also my opinion that the exhaustion of the men from loss of 
sleep and labor, together with the demoralization caused by the 
loss of our trenches on the right, rendered the surrender unavoid- 
able. The officers and men of my regiment acted with great 
gallantry. The list of the killed and wounded I have heretofore 
furnished. 

ROGER W. HANSOX, 
Col. Second Kentucky Regiment. 



174 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 



Report of Colonel John Gregg, commanding 7th regi- 
ment Texas Volunteers. 

Richmond, Va,, August 8, 1862. 
Major George Cosby, A. A. General, Bichmond : 

Major : In the absence of any one who was in command of the 
brigade or division of which my regiment was a part at the time of 
the battle of Fort Donelson, I make ray report of the action of the 
regiment to Gen. S. B. Buckner. I hope this will be considered 
proper, as it is the only method by which I can give to the brave 
men under my command the tribute which I think due to their be- 
havior hi that battle. 

The regiment was assigned its place in the line designated as our 
line of defence. On Wednesday the 12th February, cleared away 
the timber in our front and completed the digging of our rifle-pits 
during the day and at night. The enemy began to cannonade our 
intrenchments at ■0 o'clock, a. m,, on Thursday, and kept it up until 
4 o'clock, p. M., during a greater part of the time making an en- 
filading fire with shells, which was well direct<?d, and by which 
Lieut. E, B. Rosson, of company A, was killed, and Thomas Jordan, 
a private in company G, was slightly wounded. On Friday we Avere 
not engaged. But on Saturday morning about half an hour before 
sunrise, we set out with other regiments to make the sortie upon 
the enemy's right wing. After filing around the base of the hill, 
upon which the enemy were drawn up, we came to our position, at 
the distance of half a mile, upon the right of our line. I caused 
the regiment to front and advance up the hill side, under a fire from 
the enemy's skirmishers. Just before reaching the crest of the hill, 
their line drawn up l)ehind it delivered fire, and a most galling one 
it was. Here fell Lieut.-col. J. M. Clougli, Capt. Wm. B. Hill, of 
company H, and Lieut. J. "W. Nowlin, of company A, neither of 
"whom spoke after being shot ; and here also quite a number of our 
non-commissioned oflicers and privates were killed and wounded. 
But our line continued to advance, pouring a most destructive fire 
into the enemy's ranks. In about half an hour their line broke and 
we pursued them to the next ridge, upon which a fresh line was 
di'awn up. I caused the regiment to continue our forward move- 
ment and to keep up a continuous fire, and in a short time the 
second line broke and fled, leaving in our hands one six-pounder, 
with ammunition and horses. We continued to press them, until a 



OFFICIAL KEFOETS OF BATTLES. 115 

third force was seen drawn up in a ravine near a clearing, and upon 
this we pressed and continued to fire, until it also broke and fled. 
And although the slaughter of the enemy had before been very- 
great, their difficulty in getting through the felled timber caused 
our fire to be much more destructive upon them at this place. For 
more than the distance of a mile through the woods, the earth was 
strewed with the killed and wounded of the enemy. George Blaiu, 
a private in company G, ca^jtured and brought to me Major Post, 
of the 8th Illinois infantry, and there were other prisoners taken. 
But all this was not done without severe loss to ourselves. Of the 
three hundred and fifty or sixty officers and men, whom I led into 
the figlit, twenty were killed on the field, and thirty-four were dis- 
abled by wounds. I must acknowledge the very efficient assistance 
of Major Granbury in the management of the regiment throughout 
the entire day. Where all behaved with such coolness and courage, 
it is hardly admissable to name particular individuals ; but the con- 
spicuous gallantry of Lieut. -col. Clough, of Capt. Hill, and Lieuts. 
Rosson and Nowlin, will ever be thought of with admiration by 
those who witnessed, and cherished as a glorioi\s memory by their 
friends. 

Submitted respectfuUy. JOHN GREGG, 

Col. '1th regiment Texas Infantry. 



Summary of Killed and Wounded in the Second Division^ Central 
Army of Kentucky^ in the engagements at Fort Donelson, Ten- 
nessee. 

In the 3d Brigade, Col. Jno. C. Brown, commanding : 

38 killed, 246 wounded aggregate 284 

2d Kentucky regiment (about) 80 

Issaquena battery ( " ) 3 

Porter's " ( " ) 25 

392 
In the two regiments of the 2d Brigade, (Col. Baldwin), 
detached, and under the command of Gen. Pillow : 

26th Tennessee, 11 killed, V8 wounded. 

26th Mississippi, 11 " 68 " 

Staff and other officers, 2 " 15 " aggregate, 165 

Total 557 



176 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

The proximate aggregate strength of the various regiments 
was as follows : 

3rd Tennessee, V50 

17th Tennessee, 625 

32nd Tennessee, 400 

14th Mississippi, 650 

41st Tennessee, 400 

2nd Kentucky, 600 

— -3,025* 
Detached, and under command of Gen. Pillow : 

26th Tennessee, 401 

26th Mississippi, 443 

844 

Aggregate strength of Buckner's division, under his own com- 
mand, exclusive of two batteries of artillery, 3,025. 

Aggregate detached under Gen. Pillow, 844. 

Aggregate infantry of Buckner's division under him and Gen, 
Pillow, 3,869 

Estimate of Killed and Wounded in those portions of Gen. Pillow^s 
command^ reporting their operations at Fort Donelson., Temies- 
see, through Gen. &. S. Buckner. 

Col. Heiman's brigade, 10 killed, 30 wounded. 

Col. Gregg's regiment, 20 " 34 " 

Major Brown's regiment, 18 " 55 " 



48 119 



Aggregate 16*7. 



* This sliould be 3,425 if the returns are correct. [Clerk. 



OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 177 



REPORT OF THE OPERATIONS OP THE ARMV 
IN NEW MEXICO. 



Beig.-gen. W. U. Sibley, commanding. 

Head-quarters, Army of New Mexico, 
Fort Bliss, Texas, May 4, 1862. 
General S. Cooper, 

Adjutant and Inspector-general, 

Richmond, Va. : 

General: — I have tlje honor to report, for the information of the 
Secretary of War, the operations of this army during the months of 
February, March, and April, ultimo. 

This report is made to cover the whole campaign, for the reason 
that the special reports of the various commanders, herewith in- 
closed, enter sufficiently into detail to elucidate the various actions 
in which the troops were engaged during the campaign. 

It is due to the brave soldiers I have had the honor to command, 
to promise that from its first inception, the " Sibley brigade" has 
encountered difficulties in its organization, and opposition and distaste 
to the service required at its hands, which no other troops have met 
with. 

From misunderstandings, accidents, deficiency of arms, &c,, in- 
stead of reaching the field of its operations early in September, as 
was anticipated, I found myself, at this point, as late as the middle^ 
of January, 1862, with only two regiments and a half, poorly armed, 
thinly clad, and almost destitute of blankets. The ranks were be- 
coming daily thinned with those two terrible scourges to an army, 
small pox and pneumonia. Not a dollar of quarter-master's funds 
was on hand, or had ever been to supply the daily and pressing 
necessities of the service, and the small means of this sparse section 
had been long consumed by the force under the command of Lieut,- 
col. Baylor, so that the credit of the government was not as avail- 
able a resource as it might otherwise have been. 

Having established a general hospital at Dona Ana, I determined 

12 



178 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

to move forward with the force at hand. Accordingly, during the 
first week in January, the advance was put in march for old Fort 
Tliorn. Thence on the 7th of February, the movement was con- 
tinued to a point seven miles below Fort Craig, when the Santa Fe 
papers boasted we were to be met and overwhelmed by Canby's 
entire army. On the 16th of February, a reconnoissance in force, 
was pushed to within a mile of the fort, and battle offered in the 
open plain. The challenge was disregarded, and only noticed by 
the sending out of a few well-mounted men to watch our move- 
ments. The forces of the enemy were kept well concealed in the 
" bosque" (or grove) above the fort and within its walls. 

The reconnoissance proved the futility of assaulting the fort in 
front, with our light mettle, and that our only hope of success was 
to force the enemy to an open field fight. It was accordingly de- 
termined by a partial retrograde movement to cross the Rio Grande 
to the east bank, turn the fort, and force a battle for the recrossing. 
To do this, involved first, the hazardous necessity of crossing a 
treacherous stream in full view of the fort ; second, to make a " dry 
camp" immediately opposite, and remote from the fort only a mile 
and a half, and the next day to fight our first battle. The enemy 
seemed to have been so confounded by the boldness and eccentricity 
of these movements, that the first was accomplished without moles- 
tation, save a demonstration on the afternoon of the 20th, as we 
were forming our camp, by the crossing of some 2500 infantry and 
cavalry, with the purpose, apparently, of making an assault upon 
our lines. Here, the spirit and courage of our men were evidenced 
by the alacrity shown in getting into line to confront the enemy. 
A few rounds from our well-directed guns, mider the management 
of Capt. Teel, Lieuts. Riley and Woods, checked his advance, and 
drove him to the cover of his sand-revolted mud walls. 

It is proper to state here, that these operations, approved by me, 
.were conducted by Col. Thomas Green, of the 5th regiment ; the 
state of my health having confined me to the ambulance for several 
days previous. 

On the morning of the 21st, considering that the impending battle 
■must decide the question at issue, though still very weak, I took the 
saddle at early dawn, to direct, in person, the movement. Green's 
regiment, with the battalion of the 7th, under Lieut.-col. Sutton, 
and Capt. Teel's battery, were ordered to make a strong threaten- 
ing demonstration on the fort ; whilst Scurry, with the 4th, well 
flanked by Pyron's command on the left, should feel his way cau- 
tiously to the river. 



OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLES. 179 

This movement was unfortunately delayed by the loss, during the 
night, by careless hurding, of a hundred mules of the baggage train 
of the 4th regiment. Rather than the plan should be defeated, a 
number of wagons were abandoned, containing the entire kits, 
blankets, books, and papers of this regiment ; and meanwhile, what 
was left of the trains wa« kept in motion over the sand-hills, which 
the enemy had deemed impossible. 

On reaching the river bottom at Valverde, it was ascertained that 
the enemy, anticipating our movement, had thrown a large force of 
infantry and cavalry up the river to dispute the water with us. 
Pyron immediately engaged him with his small force of 250 men, 
and gallantly held his ground against overwhelming odds, until the 
arrival of Scurry with the 4th regiment and Lieut. Riley's battery 
of light howitzers. At 12 m., the action becoming warm, and the 
enemy evidently receiving large reinforcements, I ordered Green's 
regiment, with Teel's battery, to the front. 

These, in the course of an hour, gallantly entered into action, and 
the battle became general. Subsequently, Lieut.-col. Sutton, with 
his battalion, was ordered forward from the rear, and did right 
good service, leading his men even to the cannon's mouth. At one 
and a half p. m,, having become completely exhausted, and finding 
myself no longer able to keep the saddle, I sent my aids and other 
staff officers to report to Col. Greene. His official report attests 
the gallantry of their bearing and his final success, resulting in the 
capture of their battery and driving the enemy in disorder from 
the field, and thus evidencing his own intrepidity and the indomit- 
able courage of all engaged. 

From information derived from reliable sources, the forces op- 
posed to us could not have been less than 5,000 men, with a reserve 
of 3,000 at the fort. Ours did not exceed 1,750 on the field, viz. : 
the 4th regiment, 600, 5th 600, tth 300, and Pyron's command, (of 
2d mounted rifles,) 250. This signal victory should have resulted 
m the capture of the fort, as fresh troops had been brought forward 
to pursue and follow the discomfited column of the enefny. A flag 
of truce was opportunely dispatched by the Federal commander 
before he reached the gates of his fort, and which was for two hours 
sujjposed by our troops to be a proposition to surrender. 

This flag had for its object, the burying of the dead and removal 
of their wounded ; and I regret to state here, for the sake of old 
associations, that under this flag, and another sent next day, the 
enemy, availing himself of our generosity and confidence in his 
honor, not only loaded his wagons with arms picked up on the 



180 OFFICIAL BEPORTS OF EATTLKS, 

battle-field, but sent a force up, and actually succeeded in recovering 
from the river one 24-pounder, which had been left in our hands. 
Even a guidon and a flag, taken in the same way, under the cover of 
night and a white flag, were boastingly pointed to, in an interview 
under a flag of truce between one of my aids and the Federal com- 
mander at the fort, as trophies of the fight. 

The burying of the dead and care of the wounded occasioned a 
delay of two days on the field, thus leaving us with but five days' 
scant rations. In this dilemma the question arose ■whether to as- 
sault the fort in this crippled condition, or move rajjidly forward up 
the river where supplies of breadstufFs and meat could be procured. 
The latter course, in a council of war, was adopted. Depositing 
our sick at Locorro, 30 miles above Fort Craig, the march was un- 
interruptedly made to Albuquerque, where, notwithstanding the de- 
struction by the enemy of large supplies by fire, ample subsistence 
was secured. A very considerable quantity of supplies and ammu- 
nition was also obtained at Cubero, a temporary post 60 miles west 
of Albuquerque. Other supplies were also taken at Santa Fe, and 
upon the whole Ave had a sufliciency for some three months. 

It is due to the 4th regiment to mention at this place an action of 
devotion and self-sacrifice worthy of high j^raise, and more com- 
mendable because they are Texans. 

In the action at Valverde, many of their horses were killed, thus 
leaving them half foot, half mounted. The proposition being made 
to them to dismount, the whole regiment, without a dissenting 
voice, a cavalry regiment which had proudly flaunted its banner 
before the enemy on the 20th, took the line of march on the 24th, 
a strong and reliable regiment of infantry. 

Having secured all the available stores in and about Albuquerque, 
and dispatched Major Pyron with his command to Santa Fe to se- 
cure such as might be found there, I determined to make a strong 
demonstration on Fort Union. 

With this view, Col. Scurry, with the 4th, and the battalion of 
Col. Stute'* regiment under Major Jordan, were pushed forward in 
the direction of Galestio, whilst Col. Green, with his regiment, 
(5th,) being somewhat badly crippled in transportation, was held for 
a few days in hand to check any movement from Fort Craig. 

Meanwhile, the enemy, having received reinforcements at Fort 
Union of 950 men from Pii)e's Peak, on or about the 12th of 
March, took the initiative and commenced a rapid march on Santa 
Fe. 

Major Pyron, reinforced by four companies of the 5th regiment, 



OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLESl 131 

under Major Shropshire, receiving notice of this movement, ad- 
vanced at once to meet him, on the high road between Santa Fe 
and Union, On the 2Gth of March a sharp skirmish ensued, des- 
cribed in detail by that officer, wherein many acts of daring hero- 
ism were enacted. The company of " brigades," (Independent 
Vokmteers), under the command of Capt. John Phillips, is said to 
have done good service. One of their number, Mr. Thomas Cator, 
was jvilled, and two wounded. On this occasion, as on every previ- 
ous one, this company showed a devotedness to the cause which has 
elevated them and inspired confidence throughout the army. Col. 
Scurry reached the scene of action at daylight next morning, and 
the next day fought the battle of Glorietta, driving the enemy from 
the field with great loss. 

His report is respectfully referred to for the details of this glori- 
ous action. Pending this action, I was on my rout to Santa Fe, in 
rear of Green's regiment, which had meanwhile been put in march 
for that place, where, on my arrival, I found the whole exultant 
army assembled. The sick and wounded had been comfortably 
quartered and attended ; the loss of clothing and transportation 
had been made up from the enemy's stores and confiscations ; and 
indeed every thing done which should have been done. 

Many friends were found in Santa Fe who had been in durance. 
Among the rest, Gen. Wm. Pelham, who had but recently been re- 
leased from a dungeon in Fort Union. 

After the occupancy of the capitol of the Territory for nearly a 
month from the time of our first advance upon it, the forage and 
supplies obtainable there having become exhausted, it was deter- 
mined to occupy with the whole army the village of Murzana, inter- 
mediate between Fort Union, Albuquerque, and Fort Craig, and se- 
curing, as a line of communication, the road to Fort Stanton. 

This plan was disconcerted, however, by the rapid and continuous 
expresses from Albuquerque, urging the necessity of reinforcements 
to hold the place (the depot of all our supplies) against the ad- 
vancing forces of Canby from Craig. 

The entire force was accordingly moved by forced marches in the 
direction of Albuquerque, arriving too late to encounter the enemy, 
but time enough to secure our limited supplies from the contingency 
of capture. 

In our straightened circumstances, the question now arose, in my 
mind, whether to evacuate the country or take the desperate 
chances of fighting the enemy in his stronghold, Union, for scant 
rations at the best. 



182 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

Tlie course adopted was deemed the wisest. 

On the morning of the 12th of April, the evacuation commenced 
by the crossing of Scurry's 4th regiment, the battahon of Stute's 
reo-iment, Pyron's command, and a part of the artillery, by ferry 
and ford, to the west bank of the river. Green's regiment was or- 
dered to follow, but finding the ford to be difficult, he encamped 
for the night on the east bank, hoping to be able, on the ensuing 
morning, to find a better ford lower down the river. Accordingly, 
on the next day that officer proceeded with his regiment as low 
down as Peratto, opposite Los Lunal, the point at which I had 
halted the balance of the army to await his ari-ival. In the mean- 
time, Canby, having formed a junction v/ith a large force from Fort 
Union, debouched through a canon after nightfall to the neighbor- 
hood of the river, taking a commanding position in close proximity 
to Green's camp, and in the morning opened a furious but harm- 
less cannonade. 

On being notified of the critical situation of this detached portion 
of the army, the whole disposable force at Los Lunal, reserving a 
sufficient guard for the train, was dispatched to its relief The pas- 
sage of the river by this force and the artillery was successfully ef- 
fected, under the direction of Col. Scurr)^ 

Following shortly after with a portion of my staff to assume the 
immediate command, and having crossed the river, I was notified 
by several officers, who had preceded me some hundred yards, of 
the rapid approach of a large number of the enemy *s cavalry. Find- 
ino- myself completely cut off, I had no other alternative than to re- 
cross the river amid a shower of balls. The day was occupied at 
Peratto in ineffectual firing on both sides. After nightfall I gave 
orders for the recrossing of the whole army t'o the west bank of the 
river, which was effected without interruption or casualty, and on 
the next morning the march down the river was resumed. The 
enemy followed on the opposite bank, and both armies encamped in 
full view of each other, the river alone intervening. 

The transportation and artillery had by this time become such an 
incumbrance on the heavy, sandy road, without forage or grass, 
thj?+; the abandonment of one or the other became inevitable. My 
original plan had been to push on by the river route, in advance of 
tlie enemy, having the start of him two whole days from Albuquer- 
que to Fort Craig, attack the weak garrison, and demolish tlie fort. 

This plan was defeated by Col. Green not finding a crossing of the 
river at a convenient ix)int. 

Col. Green, and Col. Scurry, with several other practical officei-s. 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 183 

here came forward and proposed, in order to avoid the contingency 
of another general action in our then crippled condition, that a 
route through the mountains, avoiding Fort Craig, and striking the 
river below that point, should be pursued, they undertaking with 
their respective commands to push the artillery through at all 
hazards and at any expenditure of toil and labor. Major Coop- 
wood, who had familiarized himself with the country, undertook the 
difficult and responsible task of guiding the army through this 
mountainous, trackless waste. 

The arguments presented in favor of this course were potent. 
Besides having the advantage of grass and a firm road, with very 
little dilFerence in distance, the enemy would be completely mysti- 
fied, as afterwards proved to be the case. Accordingly, all the 
wagons which could possibly be dispensed with were ordered to 
be abandoned on the ground, seven days' provisions to be packed on 
mxiles, and the entire force put in march after night-fall. The route 
was a difficult and most hazardous one, both in respect to its practi- 
cability and supply of water. The successful accomphshmeut of the 
march not only proved the sagacity of our guide, but the pledge of 
Col. Scurry that the guns should be put over every obstacle, how- 
ever formidable, by his regiment, was nobly fulfilled. Not a mur- 
mur escaped the lips of these brave boys. Descents into and ascents 
out of the deepest canons, which a single horseman would have 
sought for miles to avoid, were undertaken and accomplished, with 
a cheerfulness and ability which were the admiration and praise of 
the whole army. Thus, in ten days, with seven days' rations, a point 
on the river, where supplies had been ordered forward, was reached. 
The river, which was rising rapidly, was safely crossed to the east 
bank, .under the direction of Col. Green, and, at this moment, I am 
happy to repeat, the whole force is comfortably quartered in the 
villages extending from Dona Ana to this j^lace. 

My chief regret, in making this retrogade movement, was the ne- 
cessity of leaving hospitals at Santa Fe, Albuquerque, and Socorro. 
Everything, however, was provided for the comfort of the sick, and 
sufficient funds, in Confederate paper, provided them to meet every 
want, if it be negotiated. It has been almost impossible to procure 
specie upon any terms. One thousand dollars is all I have been able 
to procure for the use of the hospitals and for secret service. The 
ricos, or wealthy citizens of New Mexico, had been completely 
drained by the Federal powers, and adhering to them, becoming 
absolute followers of their army, for dear life and their invested 
dollars. Politically, they have no distinct sentiment or opinion on 



184: OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

the vital question at issue. Po^^er and interest alone control the 
expression of their sympathies. Two noble and notable exceptions 
to this rule were found in the brothers Raphael and Manuel Armijo, 
the wealthiest and most respectable native merchants of New 
Mexico. The latter had been pressed into the militia, and was 
corapulsorily present in the action at Valverde. On our arrival at 
Albuquerque, they came forward, boldly, and protested their sym- 
pathy with our cause, placing their stores, containing goods amount- 
ing to |200,000, at the disposal of my troops. 

When the necessity for evacuating the country became inevitable, 
these two gentlemen abandoned luxurious homes and well filled 
storehouses, to join their fate to the Southern Confederacy. I trust 
they will not be forgotten in the final settlement. 

In concluding this report, already extended beyond my anticipa- 
tions, it is proper that I should express the conviction, determined 
by some experience, that, except for its political geographical posi- 
tion, the Territory of New Mexico is not worth a quarter of the 
blood and treasure expended in its conquest. As a field of military 
oi^erations, it possesses not a single element, except in the multi- 
plicity of its defensible positions. The indispensable element, food, 
cannot be relied on. During the last year, and, pending the recent 
operations, hundreds of thousands of sheep have been driven ofi'by 
the Navajoes. Indeed, such were the complaints of the people in 
this respect, that I had determined, as good policy, to encourage 
private enteri^rises against that tribe and the Apaches, and to legal- 
ize the enslaving of them. 

As for the results of the campaign, I have only to say that we 
have beaten the enemy in every encounter, and against large odds ; 
that, from being the worst armed, my forces are now the best^rmed 
in the country. We reached this point last winter in rags, and 
blanketless. The army is now well clad, and well supplied in othei 
respects. The entire campaign has been prosecuted without a 
dollar in the quarter-master's department, Capt. Harrison not having 
yet reached this place. But, sir, I cannot speak encouragingly for 
the future. My troops have manifested a dogged, irreconcilable 
detestation of the country and the people. They have endured 
much, suflfered much, and cheerfully ; but the prevailing discontent, 
backed up by the distinguished valor displayed on every field, en- 
titles them to marked consideration and indulgence. 

These considerations, in connection with the scant supply of pro. 
visions, and the disposition of our own citizens in this section, to 
depreciate our currency, may determine me, without waiting for 



OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 



185 



instructions, to move by slow marches down the country, both for 
the purpose of remounting and recruiting our thinned ranks. 

Trusting that the management of this more than difficult cam- 
paign intmsted to me by the Government may prove satisfactory 
to the President, 

I have the honor. General, to be. 

Your obedient servant, 

H. F. SIBLEY, 
Briij.-gen. Commanding. 



Dispatches from Capt. Tom P. Ochiltree, Assistant 
Adjutant General, Army of New Mexico. 

Sax Antoxio, April 2'7th, 1862. 
To Commanding Officek, C. S. A., New Orleans^ La. : 

I addressed a letter to you from Mesilla, Arizona, asking that an 
inclosed dispatch be telegraphed to his Excellency, President 
Davis ; for fear that it did not reach its destination, I write again 
from this place. 

In the event of both dispatches reaching New Orleans simulta- 
neously, I would respectfully ask that this one should be sent and 
the former one retained, as this is more correct in details, etc. 
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 

TOM P. OCHILTREE, 
Assistant Adj.-gen., Army of New Ilexico. 



San Antonio, Texas, April 27th, 1862. 
His Excellency, President Davis : 

I have the honor to inform your Excellency of another glorious 
victory achieved by the Confederate army of New Mexico. 

On the 2Vth March, Liet.-col. Scurry, with 1000 men from the 
2d, 4th, 5th, and Yth Texas mounted volunteers, met, attacked, 
whipped, and routed 2000 Federals, 23 miles east of Santa Fe. 

Our loss was 33 killed and 35 wounded— among the killed was 
Major Ptagnet, and Capt. Buckholt, of the 4th, and Major Shrc p- 
shii-e, of the 5th Texas mounted volunteers; Lieut.-col. Scurry, 
commanding, was twice slightly wounded, and Major Pyron, com- 



186 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

manding battalion 2d T. M. R., had his horse blown from under 
him by a shell. 

The enemy's loss was over '700 killed and wounded— 500 being 
left on the field. Their rout was comijlete, and they Avere scattered 
from the battle-field to Fort Union. 

The Confederate flag flies over Santa Fe and Albuquerque. At 
the latter place, the flag was made of a captured United States flag, 
raised upon a United States flag-stafi", the salute fired by a captured 
United States battery, and Dixie played by a captured United 
States band. 

The Federal force defeated at Glorietta, consisted of 1600 Pike's 
Peak volunteers, and 600 regulars, under command of Col. Slough. 
I have the honor to inform your Excellency that I will wait upon 
you with important dispatches in a few days. 
Very respectfully, 

TOM P. OCHILTREE, 
Assistant AdJ.-(/en., Army of Neio Mexico. 



Report of the Battle of Glorietta, Colonel Scurry, com- 

xuanding. 

Santa Fe, New Mexico, March 31, 1862. 

To Major A. M. Jackson, 

A. A. General, Army Neio 3Iexico. 
Major : Late on the afternoon of the 26th, while encamped at 
Galistoe, an express from Major Pyron arrived with the information 
that the major was engaged in a sharp conflict with a greatly supe- 
rior force of the enemy, about sixteen miles distant, and urging me 
to hasten to his relief. The critical condition of Major Pyron and 
his gallant comrades was made known to the command, and in ten 
minutes the column was formed, and the order to march given. 
Our baggage train was sent forward under a guard of one hundred 
men, under the command of Lieut. Taylor, of the 7th regiment, to 
a point some six miles in the rear of Major Pyron's position ; the 
main command marching directly across the mountains to the scene 
of conflict. It is due to the brave men making this cold night 
march. to state, that where the road over the mountain was too 
steep for the horses to drag the artillery, they were unharnessed, 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 187 

and the men cheerfully pulled it over the difficulties of the way by 
hand. About three o'clock in the morning Ave reached Major 
Pyron's encampment at Johnson's ranche in canon Cito. There had 
been an agreed cessation of hostilities until eight o'clock the next 
morning. Too much praise cannot be bestowed upon the courage 
of the officers and men engaged in the affiiir of the 26th. As soon 
as daylight enabled me, I made a thorough examination of the 
ground, and so formed the troops as to command every approach 
to the position we occupied, which was naturally a very strong one. 
The disposition of the troops was soon completed, and by 8 o'clock 
were ready to receive the expected attack. In this position we re- 
mained unti, the next morning. The enemy still not making their 
appearance, I concluded to march forward and attack them. Leav- 
ing a small wagon guard, I marched in their direction with j)ortions 
of nine companies of the 4th regiment, under their respective 
officers (Capts. Hampton, Lesseure, Foard, Crosson, Geiseher, Alex- 
ander, Buckholt, Odell, and Lieut. Holland, of company B, Capt. 
Scarborough being unwell), four companies of the 7th, under Capts. 
Hoflman, Gardner, Wiggins, and Adair, four companies of the 5th 
regiment, under Capts. Shannon and Ragsdale and Lieuts. Oaks and 
Scott ; three pieces of artillery under Lieut. Bradford, together with 
Capt. Phillips' company of independent volunteers. From details 
and other causes they were reduced, until, all combined, they did not 
number over six hundred men fit for duty. At about six miles 
from our camp the advance guard gave notice that the enemy were 
near, in force. I hastened in front to examine their position, and 
found they were about one mile west of " Pigeon's Ranche," in 
canon Glorietta. 

The mounted men who were marching in front were ordered to 
retire slowly to the rear, dismount, and come into the action on foot. 
The artillery was pushed forward to a slight elevation in the canofiy 
and immediately to open fire. The infantry were rapidly deployed 
into line, extending across the canon from a fence on our left up 
into the pine forest on our right. 

About the time these dispositions were made, the enemy rapidly 
advanced in separate columns, both upon our right and left. I dis- 
patched Major Pyron to the right to check them in that direction, 
and j)lacing the centre in command of Major Ragnet, I hastened 
with the remainder of the command to the left. 

A large body of infantry, availing themselves of a gulch that ran 
lip the centre of an inclosed field to our left, were moving under its 
cover past our left flank to the rear of our position. 



188 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Crossing the fence on foot, we advanced over the clearing some 
two hundred yards under a heavy fire from the foe, and dashed into 
the gulch in their midst, pistol and knife in hand. For a few 
moments a most desperate and deadly hand to hand conflict raged 
along the gulch, when they broke before the steady corn-age of our 
men, and fled in the wildest disorder and confusion. 

Major Pyron was equally successful, and Major Ragnet with his 
force charged rapidly down the centre. Lieut. Bradford, of the 
artillery, had been wounded and borne from the field. There being 
no other officer of the artillery present, three guns constituting our 
battery had been hastily withdrawn before I was aware of it 

Sending to the rear to have two of the guns brought back to the 
field, a jDause was made to reunite our forces, which had become 
somewhat scattered in the last rencountre. When we were ready 
to advance, the enemy had taken cover, and it was impossible to tell 
whether their main body was stationed behind a long adobe wall that 
ran nearly across the canon, or had taken position behind a large 
ledge of rocks in the rear. Private W. D. Kirk, of Capt. Phillips' 
company, had taken charge of one of the guns, and Sergeant 
Patrick, of the artillery, another, and brought them to the ground. 
While trying by the fire of these two guns to ascertain the locality 
of the enemy, Major Shropshire was sent to the right with orders 
to move up among the pines until he should find the enemy, when 
he was to attack them on that flank. Major Ragnet, with similar 
orders, was dispatched to the left. I informed these gallant oflicers 
that as soon as the sound of their guns was heard I would charge in 
front with the remainder of the command. Sending Major Pyron 
to the assistance of Major Ragnet, and leaving instructions for the 
centre to charge as the fire opened on the right, I passed in that 
direction to learn the cause of delay in making the assault. I found 
that the gallant Major Shropshire had been killed. I took com- 
mand of the right and immediately attacked the enemy, who were 
at the ranche. Majors Ragnet and Pyron opened a galling fire upon 
their left from the rock on the mountain side, and the centre charg- 
ing down the road, the foe were driven from the ranche to the 
ledge of rocks before alluded to, where they made their final and 
most desperate stand. At this point three batteries of eight guns 
opened a furious fire of grape, canister, and shell upon our advanc- 
ing troops. 

Our brave soldiers, heedless of the storm, pressed on, deter- 
mmed, if possible, to take their battery. A heavy body of infan- 
try, twice our number, interposed to save their guns. Here the 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 189 

conflict was terrible. Our men and ofiicers, alike inspired with 
tlie nnalterable determination to overcome every obstacle to the 
attainment of their object, dashed among them. The right and 
centre had united on the left. The intrepid Ragnet, and the cool, 
calm, courageous Pyron, had pushed forward among the rocks, 
until the muzzle of the opposing forces' guns passed each other. 
Inch by inch was the ground disputed, until the artillery of the 
enemy had time to escape with a numbei^ of their wagons. The 
infantry also broke ranks and fled fi-om the field. So precipitate 
was their flight, that they cut loose their teams and set fire to two 
of their wagons. The pursuit was kept up until forced to halt from 
the extreme exliaustion of the men, who had been engaged for six 
houi's in the hardest contested fight it had ever been my lot to 
witness. The enemy is now known to have numbered fourteen hun- 
dred men, Pike's Peak miners and regulars, the flower of the 
United States army. 

During the action, a part of the army succeeded in reaching our 
rear, surprising the wagon guard, and burning our wagons, takmg 
at the same time some sixteen prisoners. About this time a party 
of prisoners, whom I had sent to the rear, reacjied there, and in- 
formed them how the fight was going in front, whereupon they 
beat a hasty retreat, not, however, until the- perpetration of two 
acts which the most barbarous savage of the plains would blush to 
own. One was the shooting and dangerously wounding the Rev. 
L. H. Jones, chaplain of the 4th regiment, with a white flag in his 
hand ; the other an order that the i^risoners they had taken be shot 
in case they were attacked on their retreat. These instances go to 
prove that they have lost all sense of humanity, in the insane hatred 
they bear to the citizens of the Confederacy, who have the manli- 
ness to arm in defence of their country's indejDendence. 

We remained upon the battle-field during the day of the 29th, to 
bury our dead and pi-ovide for the comfort of the wounded, and 
then marched to Santa Fe to procure supplies and transportation to 
replace that destroyed by the enemy. 

Our loss was thirty-six (36) killed and sixty (60) wounded. Of 
the killed, 24 were of the 4th regiment, 1 of the 5th regiment, 8 of 
the Vth regiment, and 1 of the artillery. 

That of the enemy greatly exceeded this number, 44 of their 
dead being counted where the battle first opened. Their killed 
iruist have exceeded considerably over 100. 

The country has to mourn the loss of four as brave and chival- 
rous oflScers as ever graced the ranks of any army. The gallant 



190 OFFICIAL KEP0KT8 OF BATTLES. 

Major Shropshire fell early, pressing upon the foe and cheering his 
men on. The brave and chivalrous Major Ragnet, who fell mor- 
tally wounded while engaged in the last and most desperate conflict 
of the day. He survived long enough to know and rejoice at our 
victory, and then died with loving messages upon his expiring lips. 
The brave, gallant Capt. Buckholt, and Lieut. Mills, conducted 
themselves with distinguished gallantry throughout the fight, and 
fell near its close. Of the living, it is only necessary to say all be- 
haved with distinguished courage' and daring. 

This battle proves conclusively that few mistakes were made in 
the selection of the officers in this command. They were ever in 
the front, leading their men into the hottest of the fray. It is not 
too much to say, that even in the midst of this heroic band, among 
whom instances of individual daring and personal" prowess were 
constantly occurring. Major Pyron was distinguished by the calm 
intrepidity of his bearing. It is due to Adjutant Ellsbury R. Lane, 
to bear testimony to the courage and activity he displayed in the 
discharge of his official duties, and to acknowledge my obligations 
for the manner in which he carried out my orders. 
I have ihe honor to be, very respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 

W. R. SCURRY, 
Colonel commanding A. JSf. M. 



Report of the Battle of Valverde, Colonel Greene, 
commanding. 

Camp Valverde, February 22, 1862. 
Major A. M. Jackson, 

A. A. General, Army of JV. 31.: 
Sir : — I have the honor of submitting to you the following report of 
the battle of Valverde, fought on yesterday, by a part of the brig- 
ade of Gen. Sibley, under my command. While in the act of turn- 
ing Fort Craig, on\the east side of the Rio Grande, Major Pyron, 
with 200 men, was sdnt to reconnoitre early in the morning of the 
21st the route around^he Mesa, north of the fort, and secure a foot- 
ing on-the river above. Whilst Major Pyron was approacliing the 
river with his command, the enemy appeared in considerable num- 
bers between his command and the river, on the nortli of the Mesa, 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 191 

and opened on him about 8 o'clock, a heavy fire of artillery and 
small-arms being between him and the water. The gallant Pyron, 
with his brave little force, kept up the unequal contest for an hour 
or two, until the arrival of Lieut.-col. Scurry, with a part of his 
regiment and Lieut. Riley's howitzer battery. Scurry took position 
on the right of Pyron, and both kept up the contest and maintained 
their position behind a low line of sand-hill. About this time, one 
section of Capt. Teel*s battery came up, and took position, and re- 
plied to the fire of the enemy. At 12 o'clock, while under the 
orders of the general I was threatening the fort on the south side 
of the Mesa, I received his orders to move up with all my disposable 
force to the support of Lieut.-col. Scurry and Major Pyron, after 
leaving a sufiicient force to protect the train which was then moving 
from our late' camp around the Mesa to the battle-ground, and 
which was stretched out for several miles. Our train was threatened 
by a considerable body of troops of the enemy who made their ap- 
pearance on the Mesa. Detaching Lieut.-col. Sutton's command, 
and a detachment from my own regiment to protect the train, I 
moved up with as much speed as practicable, with eight companies 
of my regiment, sending forward Major Lockridge with the two 
companies of lancers under Capts. Lang and McCowan. My com- 
panies were placed in the line of battle between Pyron, on the left, 
and Scurry, on the right, except three, which were sent by me under 
Lieut.-col. McNeill, to drive the enemy from the north point of the 
Mesa, where they were annoying our left, and threatening our 
train. 

After these dispositions, I moved up to the line of battle myself, 
and, by the orders of the general, took command of the forces pres- 
ent. The enemy during the day, and with little intermission, kept 
up a brisk cannonade upon us, to which our 6-pounders, under Capt. 
Teel, replied with effect. The enemy repeatedly advanced with 
their skirmishers to near our lines, killing many of our horses tied 
in the rear. About 3 o'clock, p. m., a most galling fire was opened 
upon Lieut.-col. Scurry's command, on our right, by three or four 
hundred of the enemy's riflemen. Capt. Lang, of the 5th regiment, 
with about forty of his lancers, made at this time one of the most 
gallant and furious charges on these light troojJS of the enemy ever 
witnessed in the annals of battles. His little troop was decimated, 
and the gallant captain and Lieut. Bass severely wounded — the lat- 
ter in seven places. The enemy were repulsed by this gallant 
charge, and our right was for some time unmolested. 

Large bodies of the enemy's infantry having crossed the river 



192 OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLES. 

about half-past 3 o'clock, p. m., bringing over with them six pieces 
of splendid artilleiy, took position in front of us, on the bank of the 
river, at a distance of six hundred yards. In addition to this body 
of troops, two 24-pound howitzers were placed on our left flank by 
the enemy. These were supported by a regiment of infantry and 
,1 regiment of cavalry. The heaviest fire of the whole day was 
opened about this time on our left, which was under the command 
of the gallant Lockridge. Our brave men on that part of the line 
maintained the unequal fight with desperate courage, though over- 
whelmingly outnumbered. Lieut.-col. Sutton, now coming up with 
a part of his battalion, took position on our left. 

The enemy, now being on our side of the river, opened upon us a 
tremendous fire of round shot, grape, and shell. Their force in 
numbers was vastly superior to ours, but having -the most un- 
bounded confidence in the courage of our troops, I ordered a charge 
on their battery and infantry of regulars in front, and at the same 
time. Major Ragnet, of the 4th, with foilr companies of the same, 
and Capt. Ragsdale's company of the 5th, was directed by me to 
chai-ge as cavalry upon the infantry and Mexican cavalry and the 
two 24-pound howitzers on our flank. 

Our dismounted troops in front were composed of parts of the 
4th and 5th regiments T. M. V., and parts of Lieut.-col. Sutton's 
and most of Pyron's battalions, Teel's, Riley's, and Wood's batteries 
of artillery, numbering about 750 on the ground. Major Ragnet's 
cavalry numbered about 250, making about 1000 men in the 
charge. 

At the command to charge, our men leaped over the sand-bank, 
W'hich had served as a good covering to them, and dashed over the 
open plain, thinly interspersed with cotton-wood trees, upon the 
battery and infantry of the enemy in front, composed of United 
States regulars and Denver City Volunteers, and in a most desperate 
charge and hand-to-hand conflict completely overwhelmed them, 
killing most of their gunners around their cannon, and driving the- 
infantry into the river. Never were double-barrelled shot-guns and 
rifles used to better efiect. A large number of the enemy were 
killed in the river with shot-guns and six-shooters in their flight. 

Whilst we were occupied with the enemy in front, Major Ragnet 
made a gallant and most timely charge upon the infantry and 
cavalry of the enemy on our left flank. This charge was made 
against ten times the number of Ragnet's force, and although we 
sufiered severely and were compelled to fall back, he effected the 
object of his mission and occupied the attention of our powerful 



OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 1&3 

enemy on tlie left, while our dismounted men were advancing upon 
those in front and running them into the river. 

So soon as the enemy had fled in disorder from our terrible fire 
in front, we turned upon his infantry and cavahy and twenty-four 
pounders on our left flank, just engaged by Major Uagnet. We 
charged them as we had those in front, but they were not made of 
as good stuff" as the regulars, and a few fires upon them with their 
own artillery and Teel's guns — a few volleys of small arms, and the 
old Texas war shout, completely dispersed them. They fled from 
the field, both cavalry and infantry, in the utmost disorder, many 
of them dropping their guns to lighten their heels, and stopping 
only under the walls of the fort. Our victory was complete. The 
enemy must have been 3,000 strong, while our force actually engaged 
did not exceed 600. Six splendid pieces of artillery, and their 
entire equipage, fell into our hands, also many fine small arms. 

This splendid victory was not achieved without severe loss to us. 

Major Lockridge, of the 5th, fell at the mouth of the enemy's 
guns, gallantly leading our brave troops to the assault. 

Lieut.-col. Sutton, of the 1th, fell mortally wounded at the head 
of his battalion, while assaulting the enemy's battery. 

Several of our officers were desperately wounded, some of them, 
no doubt, mortally. Among them are the gallant Capt. Lang, of 
the lancers, and Lieut. Bass, both of company B, and Lieut. Hub- 
bard, of company A, 5th regiment. 

Capt. Heurel, of the 4th, fell in the gallant cavalry charge of 
Majoi* Ragnet. He was one of the most distinguished of the 
heroes of the day. Like the gallant Lang, of the 5tb, he could not 
appreciate odds in a battle. 

I cannot say enough in praise of the gallantry of our surviving 
officers and men. It would be invidious to mention names. Were 
I to do so, the rolls of Capts., Lieuts., and men, would have to be 
here inserted. I will only mention the principal field and staff" in the 
engagement. The cheering voice of Lieut.-cpl. Scurry was heard 
where the bullets fell thickest on the field, Lieut,-col, McXeil, 
and the gallant Major Pyron, who has been before mentioned, dis- 
played the most undaunted courage. Major Ragnet, of the 4th, 
though wounded, remained at his post, and retired not until the 
field was won. These were the field officers present, as I have just 
stated. The Capts., Lieuts,, and men in the action, displayed so 
much gallantry that it would be invidious to make distinctions. 
They fought with equal valor, and are entitled to equal cz'edit with 
the field and staff here mentioned. 

13 



194: OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

I will not close this report without a just meed of pr{,ise to the 
general staif, who served me as aides-de-camp during the day. 
Colonel W. L. Robards was in the dashing charge of the gallant 
Lang, and wounded in several places. 

Capt. Tom P. Ochiltree, aid-de-camp to Gen. Sibley, was exceed- 
ingly useful to me on the field, and active during the whole engage- 
ment. He assisted me, in the most critical moment, to cheer our 
men to the assault. He deserves the highest praise for his un- 
daunted chivalry and coolness, and I recommend him to the Gen. 
for promotion. 

Capt. Dwyer was also very useful, gallant, and active during the 
whole action. 

I cannot close without the mention of Capt. Frazier, of the 
Arazona Volunteers. To him, more than all others, we are indebted 
for the successful turning of Fort Craig. He led us over the high 
ground around the Mesa to the east of the fort, where we at all 
times had the advantage of the enemy, in case he had attacked us 
in the act of .turning the fort. 

I will personahze only further by the mention of my own regi- 
mental staff. 

Sergeant-major C. B. Sheppard shouldered his gun and fought 
gallantly in the ranks of Capt. McPhail's company in the charge 
Lieut. Joseph D. Sayers, adjutant of the 5th, during the whole day, 
reminded me of a hero of the days of chivalry. He is a gallant, 
daring, and dashing soldier, and he is as cool in a storm of grape, 
shell, canister, and musketery as a veteran. I recommend him, 
through the Gen., to the President for promotion. 

Our killed aud wounded are as follows : 

Second Regiment Texas Mounted Volunteers, Major Pyron's 
command — Killed 4, wounded 17, missing 1. 

Teel's Battery — Killed 2, wounded 4. 

Fourth Regiment Texas Mounted Volunteers, Lieut.-col. Scurry's 
command — Killed 8, wounded 36. 

Fifth Regiment Texas Mounted Volunteers, Col. Green's regi- 
ment — Killed 20, wounded 67. 

Seventh Regiment Texas Mounted Volunteers, Lieut.-Col. Sut- 
ton's command — Killed 2, wounded 26. 

Total killed 36, wounded 159, missing 1. 

Since which time Lieut.-Colonel Sutton, of the seventh, and two 
privates of the fifth, and two of Teel's battery have died from 
wounds received in battle. 

The enemy's loss was far greater than ours. The precise number 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 195 

cannot be ascertained by us, as many were killed in the river, and 
as the enemy's white flag, asking permission to gather up their 
dead and, wounded, came almost before the sound of the last cannon 
had ceased to reverberate in the hills. It is confidently asserted 
and believed, by many of our ofiicers and men, that the enemy, 
under the flag of truce, picked up many small arms, and carried 
them ofi" with the dead wagons; that they also carried ofi" their two 
twenty-four pound howitzers, which were left by them in the river. 
It is certain that, during the cessation of hostilities, they picked up 
a company flag and guidon of my regiment, left on the field during 
our charge, while they were gathering up their wounded and dead ; 
and, it is said, these are considered by them as trophies. I do not 
believe the commanding ofiicer of the enemy is aware of these 
facts, as he would not have spoken of stolen flags as trophies. 

I think, from the best information in my possession, that the 
enemy's loss must have been, in killed and wounded, at least three 
hundred and fifty or four hundred. Among their killed were several 
gallant oflicers. 

The gallant McRea fell at his guns. Several other Capts. and 
Lieuts. were killed. Capt. Resell, of the 10th U. S. infantry, and 
several privates of the 5th and 10th infantry and Denver City Vol- 
unteers were taken prisoners. 

Respectfully submitted, 

THOMAS GREEN", Col. U Reg. T. 31. V. 



Report of Col. W. R. Scurry. 

Val VERDE, New Mexico, Feb. 22d, 1862. 
A. M. Jackson, A. A. G. Army of Neio Mexico.: 

Major : — Early on the morning of yesterday, while the army was 
encamped on the east side of the Rio Grande, opposite Fort Craig, 
I received orders to march with my command, (4th Regiment T. 
M. V.) and take possession at as early an hour as practicable of 
some point on the river above Fort Craig, at which water might be 
obtained. By eight o'clock the regiment took up the line of march, 
accompanied by Capt. George Frazier, of Major Pyron's battalion 
(with his company), acting as guide for the command. Supposing 
that we were the advance of the army, to prevent surprise, I order- 
ed Major Ragnet to take the advance, with four companies and 
Capt. Frazier's company, throwing out at the same time front and 



196 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BAITLES. 

flank patrols. In a short time I learned that Major Pyron, with 
one hundred and eighty men, was in our advance. Aware of the 
great vigilance of that active officer, I recalled Major Ragnet and 
re-united the regiment. A report was received from Major Pyron 
that the road was clear of the enemy, and the river in sight. But 
in a short time a second message was received, through Capt. 
John Phillips, from the Major, informing me that large masses of 
the enemy were in his front and threatening an attack. As his 
force was but small, I was fearful that he would be overpowered 
before we. could reach him, and accordingly pushed forward, guided 
by Capt. Phillips, as rapidly as our horses could carry us, to his 
relief, and found him gallantly maintaining a most unequal contest 
against vastly superior numbers. Dismounting my command, we 
formed on his i-ight and joined in the conflict. For near two hours 
we held our position in front of an enemy now known to be near 
five thousand strong, while our own forces were not over seven 
hundred in number. Immediately, upon reaching the field, Capt. 
Frazier joined the command to which he belonged, where he did 
good service during the remainder of the day. 

Upon opening fire with the Light Howitzer battery, under Lieut. 
John Riley, it was found to be inefiectual against the heavier 
metal of the enemy. It was therefore ordered to cease firing and 
be withdrawn under cover. 

At about one o'clock, Capt. Teel, with two guns of his battery, 
reached the ground. Being placed in position on our right, he 
opened a galling fire upon the left flank of the enemy, whereupon 
the enemy commenced a furious cannonade upon him from their 
entire battery, consisting of eight guns. So heavy was their fire 
that the Capt. soon found himself with but five men to work the 
two guns. A bomb exploding under his pieces had set the grass 
on fire ; still this gallant officer held his position and continued hia 
firing upon the enemy, himself seizing the rammer and assisting to 
load the piece. 

Seeing his situation, I ordered Lieut. Riley, with his command, 
to join him, and assist in the efficient working of his guns. During 
the balance of the day, this brave little band performed the duty 
assigned them. Judging by the heavy firing on the left that Major 
Pyron was hard pressed, Capt. Teel, with more of his guns, which 
had just reached the ground, was dispatched to his relief Major 
Ragnet, with four companies of the regiment, was ordered to main- 
tain our position there. I remained on the right with the balance 
of my command and two pieces of Teel's battery, under Lieut. J. 



OFFICIAL EEP0KT8 OF BATTLES. 197 

H. McGinness, to hold in check the enemy, who were moving in 
large force in that direction, to turn our flank. About this time 
Major Lockridge, of the 5th regiment, arrived on the field and 
reported himself, with a portion of that command. He was order- 
ed to join our troops on the left. During all this time the fire of 
the enemy had been extremely heavy, while, owing to the shorter 
range of most of our guns, our fire was reserved until they should 
approach sufficiently near our position to come within range of our 
arms, when they were invariably repulsed with loss. Soon after the 
arrival of Major Lockridge, Col, Green reached the field and as- 
sumed command. At about three o'clock in the afternoon, in 
extending our line to prevent the enemy ftom turning our right, I 
found myself with only two companies (Capt. Hardeman's and Cros- 
son's), opposed to a force numbering some four hundred men, the 
other four companies being several hundred yards to my left. It 
was here that that daring charge was made by Capt. Lang, of the 
5th regiment, with a small body of lancers. But desperate cour- 
age was inefiectual against great odds and superior arms ; and this 
company then sustained the greatest loss of life of any company of 
the brigade. This charge, otherwise unfortunate, had the efiTect of 
bringing the enemy within range of our guns, when the two pieces 
of Capt. Teel's battery and the small-arms of Capts. Hardeman's 
and Crosson's companies opened an effective fire upon them, before 
which they rapidly retreated with considerable loss. Just before 
sunset, Lieut. Thos. P. Ochiltree, of Gen. Sibley's staff, brought an 
order to prepare for a charge all along the line. 

All prejDared for its prompt execution, and when the words " Up, 
boys, and at them !" was given, straight at their battery of six guns, 
supported by columns of infantry and cavalry, some seven hundred 
yards in front of our position, went our brave vol unteei*s, unmindful 
of the driving storm of grape and canister and musket balls sent 
hurling around them. With yells and ringing shouts they dashed 
on and on, until the guns were won and the enemy in full retreat 
before them. After carrying the battery, their guns were turned 
upon themselves, Capts. Hardeman and Walker manning those on 
the right. Lieut. Ragnet, of Riley's battery, being on the ground, 
I placed one gun in his charge, manning it with such of the men 
as were nearest. The rammer being gone, a fliag-staff was used 
in its stead. Capt, Teel, coming up, an effective fire was kept up 
as long as the enemy was in reach. In the meantime, a most 
timely and gallant charge was made by Major Ragnet from our 
left, thus effecting a favorable divei'sion at the moment of our 



198 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

charge upon their battery. This charge by Major Ragnet and 
his command was characterized by desperate valor. 

In the last brilliant and successful charge which decided the 
fortunes of the day, there were six companies of the 4th regiment, 
T. M, v., under their respective Capts., (Hardeman, Crosson, 
Lesner, Foard, Hampton and Nunn.) Besides those I saw Capts. 
Shropshire, Killsough and McPhail, of the 5th regiment, and 
Capt. Walker, of Major Pyron's battalion. 

The brave and lamented Major Lockridge, of the 5th regi- 
ment, fell almost at the muzzle of the enemy's guns. 

Major Pyron was also in the thickest of the fray, and contrib- 
uted much by his example to the success of the charge, as did 
also Lieut. Ochiltree, of the General's staff. 

There were others there whom I now regret my inability to name. 
"Where all, both officers and men, behaved so well, it is impossible 
to say who is the most deserving of praise. The enemy retired 
across the river and were in full retreat, when Major Ragnet, 
Capts. Shannon, Adair, Alexander, Buckholdt, and Lieut. Shur- 
mond, reached the field with their companies mounted. I asked 
and obtained permission from Col. Green to cross the river with 
these companies to pursue the flying foe. 

When the head of the column reached the opposite shore, we 
were ordered to return. Night closed in on the hard-won field 
of Valverde. This brilliant victory, which, next to heaven, we owe 
to the heroic endurance and unfaltering courage of our volunteer 
soldiers, was not won without loss. Of the regiment which I have 
the honor to command, there were eight killed and fifty-six 
wounded, two of which were mortal. It affords me great pleasure 
to be able to bear testimony to the calm, cool, and discriminating 
courage of Col. Thomas Green during the fight. Major Pyron, 
also, deserves great credit for his soldierly bearing from the com- 
mencement to the close of the battle. Of the general's staff, 
Major Jackson was early on the ground, as was also Major Brown- 
rigg, Capt. Dwyer and Lieut. Ochiltree, actively engaged in the 
discharge of the duties assigned them. Each of these gentlemen 
exhibited that high courage which I hope ^vill ever distinguish 
the officers of the army. To Majors Jackson and Brownrigg I 
am under obligations for valuable aid in the early part of the 
action. It is due to the Adj. of this regiment, EUsbury R. Lane, 
that I should not close this report without stating that he was 
actively and bravely engaged in the discharge of his duties, on 
liorseback, until his horse failed, when, taking a gun, he entered the 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 199 

ranks of Capt. Hampton's company, and did duty as a private 
during the remainder of the day. 

I have the honor to be, 
Very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

W. R. SCURRY, 
Lieut. Col. Commanding Ath Megt. T. M. V. 



Report of Major Henry W. Ragnet. 

Camp Valvekde, Army New Mexico, 

February 23, 1862. 
To A. M, Jackson, 

A. A. Gen.., Arm^y New Mexico : 

Major: About sunrise on the 21st instant, whilst in camp oppo- 
site Fort Craig, I was ordered by Lieut.- col. Scurry to take four 
companies of the 4th Texas mounted volunteers, to which would be 
added Capt. Frazier's company from Major Pyron's battalion, and 
march as an advance to the river at the best point for approaching 
it above the fort, supposed to be about six miles distant. After 
marching about three miles I was ordered to halt and join Lieut.- 
col. Scurry, who was approaching with other companies of the regi- 
ment and Lieut. Riley's artillery. 

Our course was then changed for a nearer point on the river. 
After a half hour's march, whilst descending a canon, the rapid 
advance of the head of our column gave notice that we were ap- 
proaching the enemy. And emerging into the valley, the firing of 
skirmishers told that Major Pyron, who had been marching on our 
left flank, was already engaged with the enemy. A half mile gallop 
brought us within range of the enemy's artillery, when Lieut.-col. 
Scurry ordered us to dismount and advance, when we were soon 
within range of their small arms, and took position on the right of 
Major Pyron, behind a low bank, about 9 a. m. After we had taken 
this position about half an hour, the enemy moved up on our right 
with the evident intention of flanking us, which at the time would 
have been fatal ; when Lieut.-col. Scurry, dividing the command, 
assigned that position to me, and moved up to the position occupied 
by him during the day, and checked their advance. 



200 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

The troops at this time with me were Major Pyron, with his bat- 
taliou of one Imndred and eighty men, under Capts. Walker, Staf- 
ford, and Frazier, Lieuts, Nicholson and Jett, four companies of the 
4th regiment, under Capts. Scarborough, Buckholt, Harvell, and 
Alexander. About noon, one piece of Capt. Teel's batteiy, under 
Lieut. Bradford, was added to my position, which did good service 
until the heavier metal of the enemy silenced it. Soon after the 
arrival of this gun. Major Lockridge arrived with three companies 
of the 5th regiment Texas mounted volunteers, under Capts. Shrop- 
shire, Campbell, and Ragsdale, and Major Pyron and Lieut. Brad- 
ford's commands were withdrawn to the right. Major Lockridge 
called my attention to the gun, which had been partly disabled and 
silenced on our left at the foot of the Mesa, where it had been 
placed in an endeavor to disable the enemy's battery on the west 
bank of the river. I ordered company B, 4th regiment, Capt. Scar- 
borough, to the rescue, and with part of that company under their 
captain and Sergeant Nelson, of company H, 4th regiment, Capt. 
Alexander, and some of that company, I succeeded in drawing the 
gun by hand from its perilous position, amid the hottest cannonad- 
ing on that part of the field, losing only one man killed and a few 
wounded. 

The horses of this gun had nearly all been killed by the enemy's 
artillery. This gun was then used by three of Lieut. Riley's com- 
pany, assisted by a few others, until I ordered the fire discontinued, 
for want of gunnei's, leaving it double shotted to await an antici- 
pated charge of the enemy. The enem)"^ threatened us in such great 
numbers, and their fire was so heavy, that Major Lockridge and 
myself each sent messengers to Col. Green for reinforcements, fail- 
ing to get which. Major Lockridge deemed it prudent to fall 
back to a sand-bank, about one hundred yards in our rear, which 
was done by companies, after the artillery and the wounded had 
been removed. This gave us a better position, as the ground was 
somewhat broken in front. 

The section of Teel's artillery was now withdrawn to the right, 
leaving only one howitzer under Lieut. Wood, who had arrived at 
our new position. Lieut.-col. Sutton now arrived on the field, ap- 
proaching in our rear, when a messenger was dispatched, asking 
that he be ordered to remain by us. 

Ho soon marched up to the right, and then returned. Major 
Lockridge now told me that we were to move up and join the forces 
on the right, for a charge, that he would cover any movement to 
get my horses which were ou the left and rear. Orderuig the com- 



^ OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 201 

panies of the 4th regiment to horse, I soon marched np on the right, 
in the rear of the rest of the command, dismounted, and ordering 
the companies then with me, under Capts. Buckholt, Harvell, and 
Alexander, of the 4th, and Capt. Ragsdale, of the 5tli, into Une to 
advance. 

Col. Green rode up and ordered me to reserve my command foi 
a charge as cavalry. No sooner were we mounted, than an order 
came by Major Pyrou to move down to the left, and menace the 
enemy now flanking us in large force. Marching down to within 
six hundred yards, I dismounted my command under cover, when 
I was joined by Capt. Scarborough, of the 4th, and received an 
order thi'ough Capt. Dwyer to charge the enemy. 

Aligning in single rank, I charged to within about one hundred 
yards of the enemy's lines, composed of infantry, supported by 
cavalry on each flank and in the rear, and by artillery on their right, 
when, looking back, I saw great confusion from the wounded and 
falling horses, for we had aligned and advanced under the heavy 
fire of their infantry and artillery. I thought we could not break 
their lines, and ordered my command to fall back, and rally at the 
sand-bank which we had left on our rear and left. When I had 
arrived at the sand-bank, I found that most of my command had 
passed it for some others still on their left, and that the position 
was untenable, as the enemy's artillery now raked it. I ordered 
those there to follow those yet in advance, and, rallying^ we could 
return. Finding Lieut. "Wood with one howitzer, uselessly exposed 
under the enemy's fire, I ordered .him to a position between the 
enemy and the train, to protect it as well as he could, and, ordering 
such of my command as I met to join in the action on the right, I 
galloped down, then too late, howevei', to participate in that bril- 
liant charge which gave us the victory. 

A few moments after reaching the river bank, Lieut.-col. Scurry 
asked permission of Col. Green to cross and pursue the enemy with 
some fi-esh companies that had just come up, which permission be- 
ing granted, I joined with my command, who were present, and, as 
the head of our column gained the opposite shore, we were ordered 
back. Shortly after the arrival of the flag of truce, elWed the 
battle of Valverde, after sunset. During the entire day, my posi- 
tion on the left was under a constant fire of the enemy's heaviest 
artillery, and their small arms, whose longer range enabled them to 
keep out of our small arm range. When they threatened an ad- 
vance, and would reach our aim, they were repulsed. 

The gallant Major Lockridge, of the 5th, whilst in command of 



202 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

the left, won the admiration of all who saw him, and whose regrets 
are now mingled with those of his other friends at his death. The 
brave Harvell, of this command, who fell in the charge he had so 
impatiently waited for, added another to the list of our gallant dead 
at Yalverde. For the officers and privates whom I had the honor 
to command on that day, I can well say that they have never fal- 
tered in their dangerous duty ; and for those, less than two hundred, 
whom I led to the charge, against more than eight times their num- 
bers, together with artillery, the recital of the act is their praise. 
This charge, though at the cost of nearly one-fifth the men and 
horses in killed and wounded, succeeded in checking the flank 
movement of the enemy, in time to enable the charge which won 
the day to be made. 

Very respectfully. 

Tour obedient servant, 

HENRY W. RAGXET. 

Major \th regiment T. M. V. 



Report of Major C. S. Pyron. 

• SocoKO, New Mexico, 

February 27, 1862. 
Major A. M. Jacksox, 

Assistant Adjutant-general, Army of Kew Mexico: 

Major : On the morning of the 21st instant, I left our camp op- 
posite Fort Craig, with one hundred and eighty men of my com- 
mand, under Capts. Walker and Stafford, Lieut. Xicholson, of Capt. 
Crosswood Spy's company, and Lieut. Jett, company B, 2d regi- 
ment mounted volunteers, to reconnoitre the road leading to the 
river near Valverde. Upon reaching the rivei-, I could see the water 
with none of the enemy intervening. I immediately dispatched a 
note to#he general commanding, stating the road was clear and the 
water in sight, and proceeded leisurely to the river to water our 
horses, they having been over twenty-four hours without water. 

When I reached the woods I discovered a body of cavalry, which 
I supposed to be about four companies, and immediately gave chase, 
they withdrawing to my left. I followed, until reaching the bank 
oi a slough in the bottom, when I found myself in front of a large 



OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 203 

force of all arms. Immediately my men were formed along the 
bank, when the action commenced, and for over one hour, by the 
courage and determination of the men, I was enabled to maintain 
the position in the unequal struggle, when I was relieved by the 
4th regiment Texas .mounted volunteers, under the command of 
Lieut.-col. W. R. Scurry. 

For near two hours, our joint commands held opposition against 
odds of three to one, checking every attempt to outflank us, and 
checking every effort to drive us back. The arrival of Teel's bat- 
tery of artillery was th& first reinforcements we received, but it was 
soon followed by Major Lockridge's battalion of the 5th regiment 
Texas mounted volunteers, and, at about 1 o'clock, Col. Green 
reached the field and took command. 

Late in the afternoon, a general charge was made along our line, 
by which a battery of artillery, consisting of six guns, was taken, 
and their left driven back. 

Following rapidly up our successes, the enemy were driven back 
at all points, and the field of Valverde was won. 

It is proper to state that all the oflicers and men of my command 
behaved in the most gallant manner, and, where all were equally 
brave, it would be invidious to particularize. It is sufficient to say 
that it was a day on which deeds of personal valor were continually 
occurring. 

I cannot consent to close this report without bearing my testi- 
mony to the gallant bearing and personal valor of Cols. Green, 
Scurry, and Sutton, and Majors Ragnet and Lockridge, and others 
equally courageous. 

I have the honor to be, sir. 

Yours most respectfully, 

C. S. PYRON, 
Major 2d Texas Mounted Hangers. 

R. J. O. Grady, 
Sergeant-major and Acting Adjutant. 



204 OFFICIAL EEP0ET8 OF BATTLES. 



Report of Captain Powhatan Jordan. 

In Camp near Socoeo, N". M., 

February 27, 1862. 
Gen. H. F. Sibley, C. S. A. : 

General : I have the honor to report the first battalion of 1th 
regiment Texas mounted vohanteers in the battle of Valverde, N. 
M., on the 21st of February. The first battalion Tth regiment, 
under command of Lieut.-col. J. S. Sutton, with companies C and 
H, of the 5th regiment, were detailed, as a guard for the transpor- 
tation, on the morning of the 21st. Before the train had gotten 
fairly out of camp, we were apprised of the fight having commenced 
at Valverde crossing of the llio Grande by hearing the sullen roar 
of cannon. 

The train being in danger of attack, we were kept in position as 
the guard, and all thought, for a time, the Yth would have no share 
in the conflict, but, in about two hours after the commencement of 
the battle, an ofiicer appeared with the order for us to move on to 
the battle-field. 

Col. Sutton detached, from his command, companies A and F, of 
the Vth, and company C, of the 5th, to remain, and then gave the 
order to forward, when the remainder of his command, consisting 
of companies B, F, and I, of the 7th, and F, of the 5th, moved on to 
the scene of action. We went in a gallop and were met on the field 
by Major Lockridge, who ordered us to take position on the left. 
We were here held for some hour or more, running the gauntlet by 
countermarch under a most galling and destructive fire from their 
batteries. While in this position, we lost two men and some three 
horses killed. The battle having now continued several hours, the 
charge was ordered, and the 7th was most gallantly led in the 
charge by Lieut.-col. Sutton, who fell mortally wounded when with- 
in twenty paces of the enemy's battery. 

The battle was bow soon ended, and victory was ours, though 
purchased, by the 7th, with the death of the heroic Sutton. 

The 7th done its duty bravely, nobly, all acting gallantly. To 
make mention of individuals would be unjust. They all shared 
equally the dangers of the field, and all deserve equal praise. 

To Capt. Prigin and his company, H, of the 6th, who acted with 
our command, we must give great credit for their coolness and gal- 
lantry, and wish himself and company to .share with us whatever 
credit may fall to our command. 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 205 

Accompanying is the list of killed and wounded, together with 
the horses killed in the battle, as furnished me by captains of com- 
panies. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

POWHATAN JORDAN, 
Capt. comd'g 1st bat. 7th regH T. 31. F., Anjiy N'. 31. 



Report of Capt. T. T. Teel. 

Camp Lockridge, N. M., 
February 27th, 1862. 
Major A. M, jACKSoisr, 

Assistant Adj. -gen. C. S. A. : 

Sir : — I have the honor to report to the general commanding the 
army of New Mexico the operations of the light battery, which I 
had the honor to command, in the battle of Valverde, N. M., on 
the 21st day of February, 1862. 

I received orders on the morning of the 21st, at camp, five miles 
below the battle ground, and opposite Fort Craig, to detach one 
section of the battery under Lieut. Bradford, to march in the front 
of the column and head of the train to Valverde, and place the 
other section and remain myself in rear with the 2d regiment of 
Sibley's brigade, which orders were executed. 

About an hour after the head of the column had rrfoved, I re- 
ceived intelligence that a large body of the enemy's cavalry, in- 
fantry, and artillery had taken up the line of march for Valverde. 

I then placed the section of the battery in command of Lieuts. 
Bennett and McGinness, and went to the head of the column ; 
before reaching the head of the train, I heard the firing of the ad- 
vance at Valverde. 

I found Lieut. Bradford, with his section, at the head of the train, 
and ordered the pieces to the place of firing at a gallop, and in a 
few minutes it was placed in battery, about the centre of Lieut.-col. 
Scurry's regiment, and commenced firing upon the battery of the 
enemy and his line in a few minutes. I lost one man killed, and 
two wounded, which left but five cannoniers to man the two pieces. 
I then kept up the fire alternately with the pieces. Finding it im- 
possible to use the pieces with steady and eflfective fire, I called 



206 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

upon Lieut.-col. Scurry for men to fill up the detachments of the 
guns, which were immediately sent from Lieut. Riley's company of 
howitzers. After sustaining the action for some time, the enemy 
chano-ed his front. I then placed the section in another position. 

Lieuts. Bennett and McGuinness, having by this time reached 
our line, I ordered them to place their section in battery, which 
they did, and opened upon the enemy with good effect. 

From the great length of the enemy's line, and his superior num- 
ber, I found it necessary to detach the pieces. Lieut. Bradford 
was sent to the extreme left flank with his piece, to support Majors 
Lockridge and Pyron's commands, which had been engaged with 
the enemy for more than an hour. Lieut. McGuinness, with his 
gun, on the right of Major Lockridge's battalion. Lieut. Bennett, 
at the centre of the right flank, and the other piece at the extreme 
right flank. Lieut. Riley, with his battery of howitzers, with the 
left wing, and Lieut. "Woods, with his battery of howitzers, on the 
right wing. The different pieces and howitzers changed positions, 
however, during the action, as circumstances required, and were 
used with effect whenever the enemy presented a front, or his bat- 
tery in view. 

Having received orders that our troops were about to charge the 
enemy, I placed the guns in battery upon the extreme right flank 
as a reserve, in case the charge was unsuccessful, so that I could 
open the line of the enemy with raking shots, or engage his battery 
until our troops would prevent my firing by their closing with the 
enemy. The charge was made by our line, and in eight minutes 
his battery captured and his troops completely routed. Lieut. 
Ochiltree, aid-de-camp, rode back and ordered the guns forward, 
which order was executed, and soon the enemy's guns, as well as 
ours, were opened on his retreating forces. Firing was kept up 
from our guns until the enemy's rear was out of range of them ; I 
then ordered the firing to cease. 

I lost four men killed, including two which died the day after 
the battle, and six wounded ; twenty-five horses killed and wound- 
ed, one gun partially disabled, and eight sets of harness rendered 
unserviceable. I refer, with great pleasure, to the gallant conduct 
of Lieuts. Bennett, McGuinness, and Bradford, of my company, as 
well as Lieuts. Riley, Woods, Ragnet, and Falcrod, of the batteries 
of howitzers, also of the non-commissioned oflicers and privates of 
all the batteries. 

I cannot close my report without bearing testimony to the bravery 
and coolness of the officers under whom I acted during this san- 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 207 

guinary and well contested battle. Col. Green, and especially 
Lieut.-col. Sciu'iy, who so promptly manned my gims from his reg- 
iment (the 1st), and who was present with my guns under the 
heavy fire in the morning, and whose voice was heard above the 
din of battle, and smoke, and flame, and death, encouraging the 
men to stand by their posts. Also the lamented Lockridge ; Major 
Jackson, Assistant Adj.-gen. ; Major Brownrigg, Brigade Commis- 
sary; Lieut.-col. McNiel, and Lieut. Ochiltree, aid-de-camp, whb 
were rallying the men to the charge, and were in the line leading on 
the troops; also Capt. Dwyer, of the staff". Col. Roberts, and Major 
Ragent. Also the deep obligations I am under to Lieut.-col. Scurry, 
and Capt. Scarborough and his company, who hauled out a disabled 
piece by hand under a hot fire ; to Capts, Campbell, McPhail, and 
Kelloe, and their respective companies, for the promptness and wil- 
lingness with which they replaced the killed and wounded at my 
guns; many of their comrades having been killed and wounded 
while aiding in manning the battery during the action. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

T. T. TEEL, Capt. Artillery. 



REPORT OF THE EVACUATION OF COLUMBUS. 

L. Polk Major-general, Commanding. 



Head-qitartees, 1st Grand Division, Army of the Mississippi, 

Humbolt, March 18, 1862. 
To Col. Thomas Jordan, A. G. A., 

Jackson, Tenn. 

On the day of the evacuation of Columbus, I telegi-aphed Gen. 
Beauregard. It was accompUshed, and I avail myself of the first 
leisure I have had to submit my oflicial report. Upon receiiDt of 
instructions from the War Department, through Gen. Beauregard, 
" to evacuate Columbus, and select a defensive position below," I 
proceeded to arrange and organize a plan for the accomplishment of 
that object, and to execute it with as much celerity as the safety of 
my command and the security of the public property at risk would 
allow. The position below offering most advantages for defensive 



208 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

works, and which it was agreed to adopt, was that embracing Island 
No. 10, the main land in Madrid Bend, on the Tennessee shore, 
and New Madrid. At the two latter places, works had been thrown 
up during the last autumn, and measures were already in progress 
for increasing their strength, by the construction of heavy batteries. 
On the the 25th of February, I issued orders for the removal of the 
sick, as a preparatory step. Orders were also issued by me for the 
removal of the commissary and quarter-master's stores, then -the 
ordnance stores of every description, and then the heavy guns. 
These orders were executed promptly and in the most satisfactory 
manner. 

To Brig.-gen. McCown was assigned the command of the River 
defences, at the position chosen. His division was ordered thither 
on the 27th. A sufficient number of guns having been placed iu 
battery to make that position secure, all the rest of the troo|:fS, ex- 
cepting the cavalry, moved on the 1st. Gen. Stuart's brigade 
going by steamer to New Madrid, the remainder marching by land 
to Union City under Gen. Cheatham. I remained with my staff 
and the cavalry, to supervise the completion of the work, until 
the following day. The last shipment of articles of special 
value being made, the quarters and other buildings erected by our 
troops were consigned to the flames by the cavalry, and at 3 p. m., 
myself and staff" followed our retiring column. 

The enemy's cavalry — the first of his forces to arrive after the 
evacuation — reached Columbus in the afternoon next day, 24 hours 
after the last of our troops had left. In five days we moved the ac- 
cumulations of six months, taking with us all our commissary and 
quarter-master's stores — an amount sufficient to supply my whole 
command for eight months; all our powder and other ammunition 
and ordnance stores, excepting a few shot and gun carriages, and 
every heavy gun in the fort. Two 32-i30unders, in a remote out- 
woi'k, were the only valuable guns left, and these, with three or 
four small and indifferent carronades similarly situated, were spiked 
and rendered useless. 

The whole number of pieces of artillery composing our armament 
was one hundred and forty. 

Respectfully, your obedient servant, 

L. POLK, 
Major- Gen. Commanding. 



OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLES. 209 



REPORTS OF THE BATTLE OF SHILOH. 

G. T. Beaueegaed, Geneeal Commanding. 



Head-quarters Aemt of the Mississippi, 

Corinth, Miss., April 11th, 1862. 

To Geneeal S. Coopee, Adjutant and Inspector-gen.^ Richmond: 

Geneeal : — On the 2d ultimo, having ascertained conclusively, 
from the movements of the enemy on the Tennessee road, and from 
reliable sources of information, that his aim was to cut off my com- 
munications in west Tennessee with the eastern and southern 
States, by operating from the Tennessee river, between Crump's 
landing and Eastport, as a base, I determined to foil his designs by 
concentrating all my available forces at and around Corinth. 

Meanwhile, having called on the governors of the States of Ten- 
nessee, Mississippi, Alabama, and Louisiana, to furnish additional 
troops, some of them, chiefly regiments from Louisiana, soon 
reached this vicinity, and with two regiments of Gen. Polk's com- 
mand from Columbus, and a fine corps of troops from Mobile and 
Pensacola, under Major-gen. Bragg, constituted the army of the 
Mississippi, At the same time. Gen. Johnston being at Murfrees- 
boro', on the march to form a junction of his forces with mine, was 
called on to send at least a brigade by railroad, so that we might 
fall on and crush the enemy, should he attempt an advance from 
under his gunboats. 

The call on Gen. Johnston was promptly complied with. His 
entire force was also hastened in this direction, and by the 1st of 
April our united forces were concentrated along the Mobile and Ohio 
railroad, from Bethel to Corinth, and on the Memphis and Charles- 
ton railroad, from Corinth to luka. 

It was then determined to assume the defensive, and strike a sud- 
den blow at the enemy, in position under Gen. Grant, on the west 
bank of the Tennessee river, at Pittsburg, and in the direction of 
Savannah, before he was reinforced by the army under Gen. Buell, 
(then known to be advancing for that purpose), by making rapid 

14 



210 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

marches from Nashville via Columbia. About the same time Gen. 
Johnston was advised that such an operation conformed to the ex- 
pectations of the President. 

By a rapid and vigorous attack on Gen. Grant, it was expected 
he Avould be beaten back into his transports, and the river so cai> 
tured in time to enable us to profit by the victory, and remove to 
the rear all the stores and munitions tliat would fall into our hands 
in such an event. It was never contemplated, however, to retain 
the position thus gained and abandon Corinth, the strategic point of 
the campaign. 

Want of general officers, needful for the proper organization of 
divisions and brigades of an army brought thus suddenly together, 
and other difficulties in the way of an eifective organization, delayed 
the movements until the night of the 2d instant, when it was heard 
from a reliable quarter that the junction of the enemy's armies was 
near at hand. It was then, at a very late hour, determined that 
•the attack should be attempted at once, incomplete and imperfect 
as were our preparations for such a grave and momentous adven- 
ture. Accordingly that niglit, at one o'clock a. m., the preliminary 
orders to the commanders of the corps were issued for the move- 
ment. 

On the following morning, the detailed orders of movement, a 
copy of which is herewith, marked "A," were issued, and the 
movement, after some delay, commenced, the troops being in ad- 
mirable spirits. It was expected we should be able to reach the 
enemy's lines in time to attack him on the 5th instant. The men, 
however, for the most part, were mmsed to marching, th€ roads 
narrow, and traversing a densely wooded country, became almost 
impassable after a severe rain stoi'm on the 4th, which drenched the 
troops in bivouac, hence our forces did not reach the intersection of 
.the road from Pittsburg and Hamburg, in the immediate vicinity 
of the enemy, until late Saturday afternoon. 

It was then decided that the attack should be made on the next 
morning at the earliest hour practicable, in accordance with the 
orders of the movement. 

That is, in three lines of battle, the first and second extending 
from Owl creek on the left to Lick creek on the right, a distance 
of about three miles, supported by the third and the reserve. The 
first line, under Major-gen. 'Hardee, was constituted of his corps, 
augmented on his right by Gladden's brigade, of Major-gen. 
Bragg's corps, deployed in line of battle, with tlieir respective 
artillery following immediately by the main road to Pittsburg, and 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 211 

tlie cavalry in rear, on tlie wings. The second line, composed of 
the other troops of Bragg's corps, followed the first at the distance 
of five hundred yards, in the same order as the first. The army 
corps under Gen. Polk followed the second line at the distance ot 
about eight hundred yards, in lines of brigades, deployed with 
their batteries in rear of each brigade, moving by the Pittsburg 
road, the left wing suported by cavalry. The reserve, under Brig.- 
gen. Breckinridge, following closely on the third line, in the same 
order, its right wing supported by cavalry. 

These two corps constituted the reserve, and were to support the 
front lines of battle by being deployed, when required, on the right 
and left of the Pittsburgh road, or otherwise act according to the 
exigencies of the battle. 

At 5 A. M., on the 6th instant, a reconnoitering party of the enemy 
having become engaged with the advanced pickets, the commander 
of the forces gave orders to begin the movement and attack as 
determined upon, except that Fabric's brigade of Breckinridge's 
division, and detached to support the left of Bragg's corps and line 
of battle when menaced by the enemy, and the other two brigades 
were directed to advance by the road to Hamburgh to support 
Bragg's right, and at the same time Maney's regiment of Polk's 
corps was advanced by the same road to reinforce the regiment of 
cavalry and battery of four pieces, already thrown forward to watch 
and guard Greer's, Tanner's, and Borland's fords, on Lick creek. 

Thirty minutes after 5 o'clock, a. m., our lines and columns were 
in motion, all animated evidently by a promising spirit. The first 
line was engaged at once, but advanced steadily, following in due 
order, with equal resolution and steadiness, by the other lines, 
which were brought up successively into action," with rare skill, 
judgment, and gallantry, by the several commanders, as the enemy 
made a stand with his masses rallied for the struggle for his encamp- 
ment. Like an Alpine avalanche our ti"oops moved forward, despite 
the determined resistance of the enemy, until after 6 o'clock p. m., 
when we were in j^ossession of all his encampments between Owl 
and Lick creek but one, nearly all his field artillery, about thirty 
flags, colors, and standards, over three thousand prisoners, including 
a division commander (Gen. Prentiss), and several brigade com- 
manders, thousands of small arms, an immense supply of subsistence, 
forage, and munitions of Avar. 

All the substantial fruits of a complete victory. Such, indeed, as 
rarely have followed the most successful battles, for never was an 
army so well provided as that of the enemy. 



212 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

The remnant of his army had been driven in vitter disorder to the 
immediate vicinity of Pittsburg, under the shelter of the heavy guns 
of his iron-clad gunboats, and we remained undisputed masters of 
his well-selected position and admirably provisioned cantonments, 
after over twelve hours of obstinate conflict with his foi'ces, who 
had been beaien from them and the contiguous covert, but only 
by a sustained onset of all the men we could bring together into 
action. 

Our loss was heavy, as will appear from the accompanying returns 
marked " B." 

Our commander-in-chief, General A. S, Johnston, fell mortally 
wounded, and died on the field at 2.30 p.m., after having shown the 
highest qualities of a commander, and a personal intrepidity that 
ins^jired all around him, and gave resistless impulses to his columns 
at critical moments. 

The chief command then devolved on me, though at the time I 
was greatly prostrated, and suffering from the prolonged sickness 
with which I had been afflicted since early in February. 

The responsibility was one which, in my physical condition, I 
would have gladly avoided, though cast upon me when our forces 
were successfully pushing the enemy back upon the Tennessee rivei', 
and, though supported on the immediate field by such corps com- 
manders as Major-gens. Polk, Bragg, and Hardee, and Brig.-gen. 
Breckinridge, commanding the reserve. 

It was after 6 o'clock p.m., as before said, when the enemy's last 
position was cai'ried, and his forces finally broke and sought refuge 
behind a commanding eminence, covering the Pittsburg landing, 
not more than half a mile distant, and under the guns of their gun- 
boats, which opened on our eager columns a fierce and annoying 
fire, with shot and shell of the heaviest description. Darkness was 
close at hand; ofiicers and men were exhausted by a combat of over 
twelve hours Avithout food, and jaded by the march of the preceding 
day through mud and water. It was, therefore, impossible to collect 
the rich and opportune stores of Avar, scattered broadcast in the 
field before us, left in our possession, and impracticable to make any 
effective dispositions for their removal to the rear., 

I accordingly established my head-quarters at the church of Shiloh, 
in the enemy's encampments, with Major-gen, Bragg, and directed 
our troops to sleep on their arms, in such positions in advance and 
rear as corps commanders should determine, hoping from news re- 
ceived by a special dispatch, that delays had been encountered by • 
Gen. Buell in his march from Columbia, and that bis main force, 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. -xO 

therefore, could not reach the field of" battle in time to save Gen. 
Grant's scattered fugitive forces from capture or destruction on the 
following day. 

During the night the rain fell in torrents, adding to the discom- 
forts and harrassing condition of our men; the enemy, moreover, 
had brokentheir rest by a discharge, at measured intervals, of heavy 
shells, thrown from the gunboats; therefore, on the following morn- 
ing, the troops under my command were not in condition to cope 
with an equal force of fresh troops, armed and equipped like our 
adversary, in the immediate possession of his depots, and sheltered 
by such an auxiliary as the enemy's gunboats. 

About 6 o'clock on the morning of the Vth of April, however, a 
hot fix'e of musketry and artillery opened from the enemy's quarter 
on our advanced line, assured us of the junction of his forces, and 
soon the battle raged wath a fury which satisfied me I was attacked 
by a largely superior force. But from the outset our troops, not- 
withstanding our fatigue and losses from the battle of the day 
before, exhibited the most cheering veteran-like steadiness. On the 
right and centre the enemy was repulsed in every attempt he made 
with his heavy columns in that quarter of the field. On the left; 
however, and nearest to the points of arrival of his reinforcements, 
he drove forward line after line of his fresh troops, which were met 
by a courage and resolution of which our country may be proudly 
hopeful. Again and aga'in our troops were brought to the charge, 
invariably to w'in the position already in issue ; invariably to drive 
back this foe. But hour by hour, thus opposed to an enemy con- 
stantly reinforced, our ranks were perceptibly thinned under the 
increasing withering fire of the enemy, and at 12 mendian, eighteen 
hours of hard fighting had sensibly exhausted a large number, my 
last reserves had necessarily been disposed of, and the enemy was 
evidently receiving fresh reinforcements after each repulse. Accord- 
ingly, after 1 p. m., I determined to withdraw from so unequal a con- 
flict, securing such of the results of the victory of the day before as 
was then practicable. 

Officers of my stafi" were immediately dispatched with the neces- 
sary orders to make the best disposition for a deliberate, orderly 
withdrawal from the field, and to collect and post a reserve to meet 
the enemy, should he attempt to push after us. In this connection I 
M'ill particularly mention my Adjutant-general, Col. Jordan, who was 
of much assistance to me on this occasion, as he had already been 
on the field of battle, on that and the preceding day. 

About 2 o'clock p. 3L, the lin>es in advanoe, which had repulsed 



214 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

the enemy in their last fierce assault on our left and centre, re- 
ceived the orders to retire. This was done with uncommon steadi- 
ness, and the enemy made no attempt to follow. 

The lines of troops established to cover this movement had been 
disposed on a favorable ridge, commanding the ground of Shiloh 
church ; from this position our artillery played upon the woods be- 
yond for a while, but upon no visible enemy, and without a reply. 
Soon satisfied that no serious pursuit was or would be attempted, 
this last line was withdrawn, and never did troops leave battle-field 
in better order ; even the stragglers fell into the ranks and marched 
off with those who had stood more steadily to their colors. A 
second strong position was taken up about a mile in rear, where the 
approach of the enemy was waited for more than one hour, but no 
effort to follow was made, and only a small detachment of horse- 
men could be seen at a distance from this last position, merely ob- 
serving our movements. 

Arranging through my staff officers for the completion of the 
movements thus begun, Brig.-gen. Breckinridge was left with his 
command as a rear guard, to hold the ground we had occupied the 
niglit preceding the first battle, just in front of the intersection of 
the Pittsburg and Hamburg roads, about four miles from the former 
place, while the rest of the army passed iu the rear, in excellent 
order. 

On the following day, Gen. Breckinridge fell back about three 
miles to Meckey's, which position we continue to hold, with our 
cavalry thrown considerably forwai"d, in immediate proximity to the 
battle-field. 

Unfortunately, towards night on the 7th instant, it began to rain 
heavily; this continued throughout the night. The roads became 
almost impassable in many places, and much hardship and suftering 
here ensued, before all the regiments reached their encampments. 

But despite the heavy losses and casualties of the two eventful 
days of the 6th and lih of April, this army is more confident of 
ultimate success than before its encounter with the enemy. 

To Major-gens. Polk, Bragg, and Hardee, comuianding corps, 
and to Brig.-gen. Breckinridge, commanding the reserv>e, the 
country is greatly indebted for the zeal, intelligence, and energy with 
which all orders were executed ; for the foresight and military 
ability they displayed, in the absence of instruction in the many 
exigencies of the battle, on a field so densely wooded and broken, 
and for their fearless deportment .as they repeatedly led their com- 
mands- personally to the onset upon tlieii' powerful adversary. It 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 215 

was under these circumstances that Gen. Bragg had two horses shot 
under hira, that Major-gen. Hardee was slightly wounded, his coat 
cut with balls, and his horse disabled, and that Major-gen. Breckin- 
ridge was twice struck with spent balls. 

For the services of their gallant subordinate commanders, and 
their officers under them, as well as for the details of the battle- 
field, I must refer to the reports of corps divisions, and brigade 
commanders, which shall be forwarded as soon as received. 

To give more in detail the operations of the two battles resulting 
fi'ora the movement on Pittsburg than now attempted, must have 
delayed this report for weeks, and interfered with the important 
duties of my position ; but I may be permitted to say, that, not only 
did the obstinate conflict of Sunday leave the Confederates masters 
of the battle-field and our adversaries beaten, but we left that field on 
the next day, only after eight hours' successive battle with a su- 
perior army of fresh troops, whom we had repulsed in every attack 
upon our lines, so repulsed and crippled, indeed, as to leave it un- 
able to take the field for the campaign for which it was collected 
and equipped at such enormous expense and with such profusion of 
all the appliances of war. These successful results were not achiev- 
ed, however, as before said, without severe loss ; a loss not to be 
measured by the number of the slain or wounded, but by the high 
social and personal position of so large a number of those who were 
killed or disabled, including the commander of the forces, whose 
high qualities will be greatly missed in the momentous campaign 
impending. 

I deeply regret to record, also, the death of the Hon. George John- 
son, Provisional Governor of Kentucky, who went into action with 
the Kentucky troops, and continually inspired them by his words 
and example. Having his horse shot under him Sunday, he entered 
the ranks of a Kentucky regiment on Monday, and fell mortally 
wounded towards the close of the day. Not his State alone, but 
the whole Confederacy, will mourn the death of this brave, upright, 
and noble man. 

Another gallant and able soldier and Captain was lost to the ser- 
vice of the country, when Brig.-gen. Gladding, commanding first 
brigade, Withers' division, second army corps, died from a severe 
wound, received on the 6th instant, after having been conspicuous 
to his whole command and army for courage and capacity. 

Major-gen. Cheatham, commanding first division first corps, was 
slightly wounded, and had three horses shot under him. 

Brig.-gen. Clark, commanding second division of the first coi'ps, 



216 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

received a severe wound, also, on the first day, which will deprive 
the array of his valuable services for some time. 

Brig.-gen. Hindmau, engaged in the onset of the battle, was con- 
spicuous for a cool courage in finding his men, even in the thickest 
of the fray, until his horse was shot under him, and he was so 
severely injured by the fall, that the army was dej^rived the follow- 
ing day of his chivalric example. 

Brig.-gens. B. R. Johnson and Bowen, most meritorious officers, 
were also severely wounded in the first combat, but it is hoped will 
soon be able to return to duty with their brigades. 

To mention the many field-ofiicers who died or were .wounded, 
while gallantly leading their commands into action, and the many 
instances of brilliant individual courage displayed by officers and 
men in the twenty hours of battle, is impossible at this time ; but 
their names will be made known to their countrymen. 

The immediate stafiT of the lamented Commander-in-chief, who 
accompanied him to the field, rendered efficient service, and either 
by his side, or in carrying his orders, shai'ed his exposure to the 
casualties of a well contested battle-field. I beg to commend their 
names to the notice of the War Department, namely : of Capts. H. 
P. Brewster and A. Wicklifie, of the Adjutant and Inspector-gen- 
eral's Department ; Capt. Theo. O'Hara, Acting Inspector-general ; 
Lieut.-gen. Baylor, and Thomas M. Jack, aides-de-camp ; volunteer 
aides-de-camp, Col. Wm. Preston, Major D. M. Hayden, E. W. 
Munford, and Calhoun Benham; Major Albert J.Smith and Captain 
Quarter-master's Department. 

To these gentlemen was assigned the last sad duty of accompany- 
ing the remains of their lamented chief from the field, except Capts. 
Brewster and Wicklifie, who remained and rendered valuable 
services as stafi* officers on the 7th of April. 

Gen. Ishara G. Harris, of Tennessee, went into the field with Gen. 
Johnston ; was by his side when he was shot, aided him from his 
horse, and received him in his arms when he died. Subsequently 
the Governor joined my staff", and remained with me throughout the 
next day, except when carrying orders, or employed in encouraging 
the troops of his own State, to whom he gave a conspicuous exaui- 
•ple of coolness, zeal, and intrepidity. 

I am also under many obligations to my own general, personal, 
and volunteer staff", many of whom have been so long associated 
with me. I append, a list of those present on the field on botli days, 
and whose duties carried them constantly under fire, namely : Col. 
Tho. Jordon, Capt. Clifton H'. Smith, and Lieut. John M. Otey, 



OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF BATTLES. 217 

Adjutant-general's Department ; Major George W. Brent, Acting 
luspector-a^eral ; Col. R. B. Lee, Chief of Subsistence, whose horse 
was wounaecl ; Lieut.-col. S. W. Ferguson, and Lieut. A. R. Chesolm, 
aides-de-camp; volunteer aides-de-camp; Col. Jacob Thompson, 
Major Numa Augustin, Major H. E. Peyton, Capt. Albert Ferry, B. 
B. Waddell. Capt. W. W. Porter, of Major-gen. Crittenden's staff, 
also reported for duty, and shared the duties of my volunteer staff 
on Monday. 

Brig.-gen. Frudeau, of Louisiana volunteers, also, for part of the 
fii'st conflict, was with me as volunteer aid. 

Capt. E. H. Cummins, signal officer, also was actively employed 
as a staff ofiicer both days. Nor must I fail to mention that private 
W. E. Goolsby, 11th regiment Virginia volunteers, orderly to my 
head-quarters since last June, repeatedly employed to carry my 
verbal orders to the field, discharged the duty with great zeal and 
intelligence. 

Other members of my staff were necessarily absent from the im- 
mediate field of battle, entrusted with respective duties at their 
head-quarters, viz : Major Eugene E, McLean, Chief Quarter-mas- 
ter ; Capt. E. Deslaude, Quartei'-master's Department. Lieut.-col. 
Furguson, A. D. C, early on Monday, was assigned to command 
and direct the movements of a brigade of the second corps, 

Lieut.-col. Gilmer, Chief Engineer, after having performed the 
important and varied duties of his place, with distinction to himself 
and material benefit to the country, was wounded late on Monday. 
I trust, however, I shall not long be deprived of his essential 
services. 

Capt. Lockett, Engineer Corps, Chief Assistant to Col. Gilmer, after 
having been employed in the duties of his corps on Sunday, was i^laced 
by me, on Monday, in command of a battalion without field officers. 
Capt. Fremeaux, Provisional Engineer, and Lieuts. Steel and Helm, 
also rendered material and even dangerous service in the line of 
their duty. Major-gen. (now general) Braxton Bragg, in addition 
to his duties as chief of staff, as has been before stated, commanded 
his corps, much the largest in the field, on both days, with signal 
capacity and soldiership. 

Surgeon Foard, Medical Director, Surgeon R. L. Burdle, and 
Surgeon D. W. Tandal, Medical Director of the Western Depart- 
ment, with Gen. Johnston, were present in the discharge of their 
arduous and high duties, which they performed with honor to their 
profession. Capt. Thomas Saunders, Messrs. Scales and Medcalf, 
and Mr. Tully of New Orleans, were of material aid on both days, 



218 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

ready to give news of the enemy's positions and movements, re- 
gardless of exposure. ^ 

Wliile thus partially making mention of some of those who ren- 
dered brilliant, gallant, or meritorious service to the field, I have 
aimed merely to notice those whose jjosition would most probably 
exclude their services from the reports of corps, or subordinate com- 
manders. 

From this agreeable duty, I turn to one in the highest degree 
unpleasant ; one due, however, to the brave men under me. As a 
contrast, to the behavior of most of the army who fought so he- 
roically, I allude to the fact, that some officers, non-commissioned 
officers, and men, abandoned their colors on the first day, to pillage 
the captured encampments ; others retired shamefully from the field 
on both days, while the thunder of cannon and the roar and rattle 
of musketry told them that their brothers were being slaughtered 
by the fresh legions of the enemy. I- have ordered the names of 
the most conspicuous of these cowards and laggards to be published 
in orders. 

It remains to state that our loss in the two days in killed out- 
right, Avas 1,728, wounded, 8,012, missing, 957; making an aggre- 
gate of casualties 10,699. This sad list tells in simple language 
of the stout fight made by our countrymen, in front of the rude 
log chapel at Shiloh ; especially when it is known that on Monday, 
from exhaustion and other causes, not twenty thousand men on 
our side could be brought into action. 

Of the losses of the enemy I have no exact knowledge. Their 
newspaper report is very heavy. Unquestionably it was greater, 
even in proportion, than our own on both days, for it was apparent 
to all that their dead left on the field outnumbered ours two to 
one. Their casualties, therefore, cannot have fallen many short of 
20,000 in killed, wounded, prisoners, and missing. 

Through information derived from many sources, including the 
newspapers of the enemy, we engaged on Sunday the divisions of 
Gen. Prentiss, Sherman, Hurlbert, McClernand and Smith, of 9,090 
men each, or at least 45,000 men. This force was reinforced Sun- 
day night by the divisions of Gens. Nelson, McCook, Crittenden 
and Thomas, of Major-gen. Buell's army, some 25,000 strong, 
including all arms ; also Gen. L. Wallace's division of Gen. Grant's 
army, making at least 33,000 fresh troojis, which added to the 
remnant of Gen. Grant's forces on Monday morning, amounting to 
20,000, made an aggregate force of at least 53,000 men arrayed 
against us on that day. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 219 

In connection with the results of the battle, I should state that 
most of our men who had inferior arms, exclianged them for the 
superior arms of the enemy ; also, that most of the property, pub- 
lic and personal, of the camps, from which the enemy were driven 
on Sunday, was rendered useless, or greatly damaged, except some 
of the tents. 

With this are transmitted certain papers, to wit : 

Order of movements, marked A. 

A list of the killed and wounded, marked B. 

A list of captured flags, marked C. 

A map of the field of battle, marked D. 

All of which is respectfully submitted through my volunteer aid- 
de-camp. Col. Jacob Thompson, of Mississippi, who has the flags in 
charge ; also the standards and colors captured from the enemy. 
I have the honor to be. General, 
Your obedient servant, 
G. T. BEAUREGARD, General Commanding. 



(A.) 
Special Orders as to Movement of Troops. 

Head-quarters Army of the Mississippi, 
Corinth, Miss., April 3d, 1862. 
To General S. Cooper, 

Adjutant and Inspector-general^ Richmond: 
Special Orders, No. 8. 

I. In the impending movements, the corps of this army will 
march, assemble, and take order of battle in the following manner, 
it being presumed that the enemy is in position about a mile in 
advance of Shiloh Church, with the right resting on Owl creek and 
his left on Lick creek : 

1. The third corps, tinder Major-gen. Hardee, will advance as 
soon as practicable on the Ridge road from Corinth to what is 
called the Bark road, passing about half a mile northwest of the 
workhouse. The head of the column will bivouac, if possible, at 
Meckey's house, at the intersection of the road from Monterey to 
Savannah. 

The cavalry, thrown well forward during the march, will recoa 



220 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

noitre and prevent surprise, will halt in front of the Meckey House 
on the Bark road. 

2. Major Waddell^ A. D. C. to Gen. Beauregard, with two good 
guides, will report for service to Major-gen. Hardee. 

3. At three o'clock, a. m., to-morrow, the third corps, with the 
left in front, will continue to advance by the Bark road until within 
sight of the enemy's out-posts, on advanced positions, when it will 
be dejiloyed in line of battle, according to the nature of the ground, 
its left resting on Owl creek, its right towards Lick creek, sup- 
ported on that flank by half of its cavalry. The left flank being 
supported by the other half. The interval between the extreme 
right of this corps and Lick creek, will be filled with a brigade or 
division, according to the extent of the ground, from the second 
corps. These troops, during the battle, will also be under the com- 
mand of Major-gen. Hardee. 

He will make the pi'oper disposition of the artillery along the line 
of battle, remembering that the rifle-guns are of long ranges, and 
should be placed in very commanding positions in rear of the infantry, 
to fire mainly on the reserves and second line of the enemy, but 
occasionally will be divided on his batteries and heads of columns. 

II. The second corps^ under Major-gen. Braxton Bragg, will as- 
semble at Monterey, and move thence as early as practicable ; the 
right wing with left in front, by the road from Monterey to Savan- 
nah ; the head of the column to reach the vicinity of Meckey's 
house, at the intersection of the Bark road, before sunset. The 
cavalry with this wing will take position on the road to Savannah, 
beyond Meckey's, as fir as Owl creek, having advanced guards and 
pickets with the front. The left wing of this corpse will advance at 
the same time, also left in front, by the road from Monterey to 
Purdy ; the head of the column to reach by night the intersection 
of that road Avith the Bark road. This wing will continue the 
movement in the morning as soon as the rear of the thii-d corpse 
shall have passed the Purdy road, which it will then follow. 

The second corps will form the second line of battle, about one 
thousand yards in rear of first line. It will be formed, if practicable, 
with regiments in double columns at half distance, disjjosed as ad- 
vantageously as the nature of the ground will admit, and with a 
view to facility of development. The artillery jjlaced as may seem 
best to Major-gen. Bragg. 

III. The first corjys, under ]\[ajor-gen. Polk, with the exception 
of the detached divisions at Bethel, will take up its line of march by 
Ridge road, hence to Pittsburg, half an hour after the rear of the 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 221 

third-corpse shall have passed Corinth, and will bivouac to-night in 
the rear of that corps, and to-morrow will follow the movements of 
that corps, with the same interval of time as to-day. When the 
head of column shall have reached the vicinity of the Meckey House, 
it will be halted in column, or massed on the line of the Bark road, 
according to the nature of the ground, as a reserve. Meanwhile, 
one regiment of its cavalry will be placed in observation on the 
road from Johnston's House to Stantonville. Another regiment or 
battalion of cavalry will be posted in the same manner on the road 
from Monterey to Purdy, with the rear resting on or about the 
intersection of that road with the Bark road, having advanced 
guards and pickets in the direction of Purdy. 

The forces at Bethel and Purdy will defend their positions as al- 
ready instructed, if attacked, otherwise they will assemble on Purdy, 
and thence advance, with advanced guards, flankers, and all other 
prescribed military precautions, by the road thence to Monterey, 
forming a junction with the rest of the first corps at the intersection 
of that road with the Bark road leading to Corinth. 

IV. The reserve of the forces will be concentrated, by the shortest 
and best routes, at Monterey as soon as the rear of the second corps 
shall have moved out of that place. Its commander will take up 
the best position whence to advance as required, either in the direc- 
tion of Meckey's or of Pratt's House, on the direct road to Pitts- 
burg, if that road is found practicable, or in the direction of the 
Ridge road to Hamburg, throwing all its cavalry on the latter road, 
as far as its intersection with the one to Pittsburg passing thi'ough 
Grierford or Lick creek. 

This cavalry will throw well forward advanced guards and vi- 
dettes towards Grierfield, and in the direction of Hamburg, and 
during the impending battle, when called to the field of combat, 
will move by the Grierfield road. 

A regiment of the infantry reserve wnll be thrown forward to the 
intersection of the Grand Plill road to Hamburg, as a support to the 
cavalry. 

The reserve will be formed of Breckenridge's, Bowens, and Sal- 
hem's brigades, as now organized, the whole under Brig.-gen. 
Breckinridge. 

V. Gen. Bragg will detach the 51st and 5 2d regiments of Ten- 
nessee Volunteers, Blount's Alabama, and Desha's Arkansas battal- 
ions, and Bain's battery from his corps, which, with two of Carroll's 
vegimen.ts, now en route for the head-quarters, will form a garrison 
for the post and depot at Corinth. 



222 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

VI. Strong guards will be left on the railroad bridges between 
luka and Corinth, to be furnished in due proportion from the com 
mands of luka, Burnsville, and Corinth. 

VII. Proper guards will be left at the camps of the several regi- 
ments of the forces on the field. Corps commanders will determine 
the force of the guards. 

VIII. Wharton's regiment of Texas cavalry will be ordered for- 
ward at once to scout on the road from Monterey to Savannah, 
between Meckey's and its intersection with the Pittsburg Purdy 
road. It will annoy and harass any force of the enemy coming that 
way to assail Cheatham's division at Purdy. 

IX. The chief engineer of the forces M'ill take all due measures 
and precautions, and give requisite orders for the repairs of all the 
bridges, causeways, and roads on which our army may move in the 
execution of their orders, 

X. The troops, individually so intelligent, and with such a grand 
interest involved in the issne, are urgently enjoined to be obedient 
and observant of the orders of their superiors in the hour of battle. 
Their officers must constantly keep them in hand, and prevent the 
waste of ammunition by heedless firing. The fire should be slow, 
always, at a distant mark. It is expected that much and efiective 
work will be done with the bayonet. 

By command of Gen, A, S, Johnston" : 

THOMAS JORDAN", 

A. A. General. 



(B.) 

Killed, "Wounded, and Missing in the Batti.e op Shiloh. 
General Beauregard commanding. 

\st Corps — Major-gen. Polk; 1st division, Brig,-gen. Clark ; 1st 
brigade, Col. R, M. Russell ; killed, 97 ; wounded, 512. 

2d brigade, Brig.-gen, A, P, Stewart; killed, 93 ; wounded, 421 ; 
missing, 3, 

2d division. Major-gen. Cheatham; 1st brigade, Brig.-gen. B. R. 
Johnson; killed, 120; wounded, 607; missing, 13. 

2d brigade. Col, W. H, Stephens; killed, 75; wounded, 413; 
missing, 3. 

Total— Killed, 385 ; wounded, 1,953; missing, 19. 

2d Corps — Gen. Bragg; 1st division, Brig.-gen. Ruggles; 1st 
brigade. Col. Gibson ; killed, 95 ; wounded, 488 ; missing, 90. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 223 

2d brigade, Brig.-gen. Anderson; killed, Ql ; wounded, 313 
missing, 50. 

3d brigade, Col. Pond ; killed, 89 ; wounded, 336 ; missing, 167 

2d division, Brig.-gen. Withers ; 1st brigade, Brig.-gen. Glad 
den; killed, 129 ; wounded, 597 ; missing, 103. 

2d brigade, Brig.-gen Chalmers ; killed, 82 ; wounded, 343 
missing, 29. ' 

3d brigade, Brig.-gen. Jackson ; killed, 91 ; wounded, 364 ; miss- 
ing, 194. 

Total— Killed, 553 ; wounded, 2,441 ; missing, 634. 

3d Corps — M5j.-gen. Hardee, 1st brigade, Brig.-gen. Hindman ; 
killed, 109 ; wounded, 546 ; missing, 38. 

2d brigade, Brig.-gen. Cleburn ; killed, 188 ; wounded, 790 ; miss- 
ing, 65. 

3d brigade, Brig.-gen. Wood; killed, 107; wounded. 600; miss- 
ing, 38. 

Total — Killed, 404; wounded, 1,936; missing, 141. 

Reserve — Major-gen. Breckinridge, 1st Kentucky brigade; Col. 
Trabue; killed, 151; wounded, 557; missing, 92. 

2d brigade, Brig.-gen. Bowen ; killed, 98 ; wounded, 498; miss- 
ing, 28. 

3d brigade, Col. Statham; killed, 137; wounded, 627; miss- 
ing, 45. 

Total— Skilled, 386 ; wounded, 1,682 ; missing, 165. 

RECAPITULATION : 

Killed 1,728 

Wounded 8,01 2 

Missing 959 

Total 10,699 



(C.) 
List op Flags Captured at the Battle op Shiloh, near the 
Tennessee River, April 6, 1862. 

Head-quarters, Army of the Mississippi, 
Corinth, Miss. April 23, 1862. 
Five (5) blue silk Regimental Colors. 
Tw'enty (20) Federal Flags. 
One (1) Garrison Flag. 
Two (2) Guidons. 

THOMAS JORDAN", A. A. General. 



224 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

(E.) 
Field Return of the Army of the Mississippi, before and 

AFTER THE BaTTLE OF ShILOH, FOUGHT ApRIL 6TH AND YtH. 

Head-quarters Army of the Mississippi, 

Corinth, Miss, April 21st, 1862. 

Effective total Effective total 
before battle, after battle. 

First Army Corps, Major-gen. L. Polk, 9,136 6,779 

Second Army Corps, Gen. B. Bragg, 13,589 9,96i 

Third Army Corps, Major- gen. W. J. Hardee,. . • 6,789 4,609 

Reserve, Brig.-gen. John C. Breckinridge, 6,439 4,206 

Total infantry and artillery, 35,953 25,555 

Cavalry, Brig.-gen. F. Gardner, 4,382 4,081 



Grand total, 40,355 29,636 

Difference 10,699, casualties in battle of Shiloh. 
The battle-field being so thickly wooded that the cavalry was 
useless and could not ojDerate at all. 

Respectfully submitted and forwarded, 

G. T. BEAUREGARD, 

General Commanding A. M. 



Letter of General Braxton Bragg. 

Head-quarters Department No. 2, 

Mobile, Ala., July 25, 1862. 
Gen. S. Cooper, AdjH and Insji'f'r-general, C. S. A., Itichmo7id. 
Sir : — Herewith I have the honor to forward my official report, 
as commander of the second corps Army Mississippi, of the battle 
of " Shiloh." The great delay, somewhat unusual with me in 
official matters, has resulted from a combination of unavoidable 
circumstances. Wishing to make it complete, the reports of all 
subordinates were desired ; but, at last, several are wanting. My 
own time has been so much occupied, too, that it is not rendered as 
soon, nor is it as complete, as I could have desired. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

BRAXTON BRAGG, 

General Commanding. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 225 



Report of General Braxton Bragg. 

Head-Quarters Second Corps, A, M., 

CoRmxH, Miss., April 30, 1862. 
Brig.-gen. Thomas Jordan, Chief of Staff. 

General : — In submitting a report of the operations of my com- 
mand, the second army corjis, in the action of Shiloh, on the 6th 
and 7th of April, it is proper that the narrative of events on the 
field be preceded by a sketch of the march from here. But few 
regiments of my command had ever made a day's march. A very 
large proportion of the rank and file had never performed a day's 
labor. Our organization had been most hasty, with great deficiency 
in commanders, and was, therefore, very imperfect. The equip- 
ment was lamentably defective for field service, and our transporta- 
tion, hastily impressed in the country, was deficient in quantity and 
very inferior in quality. With all these drawbacks, the troops 
marched, late on the afternoon of the 3d, a day later than intended, 
in high spirts, and eager for the contest. 

The road to Monterey, eleven miles, was found very bad, requir- 
ing us until eleven o'clock on the 4th, to concentrate at that place, 
where one of my brigades joined the column. Moving from there, 
the command bivouacked for the night near the Meckey House, im- 
mediately in rear of Major-gen. Hardee's corps, Major-gen. Polk's 
being just in our rear. 

Our advance cavalry had encountered the enemy during the day, 
and captured several prisoners, being compelled, however, to retire. 
A reconnoissance, in some force, from the enemy made its appear- 
ance during the evening in front of Gen. Hardee's corps, and was 
promptly driven back. 

The commanders of divisions and brigades were assembled at 
night, the order was read to them, and the topography of the ene- 
my's position was explained as far as understood by us. Orders 
were then given for the troops to march at three o'clock a. m., so 
as to attack the enemy early on the 5th. About two a. m. a drench- 
ing rain storm commenced, to which the troops were exposed with- 
out tents, and continued until daylight, rendering it so dark, and 
filling the creeks and ravines to such an extent as to make it im- 
practicable to move at night. Orders were immediately sent out 
to suspend the movement until the first dawn of day. Continued 
firing, by volleys and single shots, was kept up all night and until 

15 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 
t 

seven a. m. next morning, by the undisciplined troops of our front, 
in violation of positive orders. Under such circumstances, little or 
no rest could be obtained by our men, and it was seven o'clock in 
the morning before the road was clear, so as to put my command 
in motion, though it had been in ranks and ready from three a. m., 
in the wet and cold, and suffering from inaction. At this juncture 
the commanding general an-ived at our position. My column, at 
last fairly in motion, moved on without delay, until arriving near 
where the Pittsburg road leaves the Bark road, when a message 
from Major-gen. Hardee announced the enemy in his front, and that 
he had developed his line. As promptly as my troops could be 
brought up in a narrow road, much encumbered with artillery and 
baggage wagons, they were formed according to order of battle, 
about eight hundred yards in rear of Hardee's line, my centre rest- 
ing on the Pittsburg road, my right brigade, Gladden's, of Wither's 
division, thrown forward to the right of the first. Major-gen. Har- 
dee's force not being sufficient for the ground to be covered. 

In this position we remained aaxiously awaiting the approach of 
our reserve, to advance upon the enemy, now but a short distance 
in our front. The condition of the roads, and other untoward cir- 
cumstances, delayed them until late in the afternoon, rendering it 
necessary to defer the attack until next morning. The night was 
occupied by myself and a portion of my staff in efforts to bring 
forward provisions for a portion of the troops then suffering from 
their improvidence. Having been ordered to march with five days' 
rations, they were found hungry and destitute at the end of three 
days. This is one of the evils of raw troops, imperfectly organized, 
and badly commanded ; a tribute, it seems, we must continue to 
pay to universal suffrage, the bane of our military organization. In 
this condition we passed the night, and at dawn of day prepared to 
move. The enemy did not give us time to discuss the question of 
attack, for soon after dawn he commenced a rapid musketry fire 
on our pickets. The order was immediately given by the command- 
ing general, and our lines advanced. Such was the ardor of our 
troops that it was with great difficulty they could be restrained 
from closing up, and mingling with the first line. Within less than 
a mile, the enemy was encountered in force at the encampments ot 
his advanced positions, but our first line brushed him away, leaving 
the rear nothing to do but to press on in pursuit. In about one 
mile more, we encountered him in strong force along almost the 
entire line. His batteries were posted on eminences, with strong 
iuluutry supports. Finding the first line was now unequal to the 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 227 

work before it, being weakened by extention, and necessarily bro- 
ken by the nature of the ground, I ordered my whole force to move 
up steadily and promptly to its support. 

. The order was hardly necessary, for subordinate commanders, far 
beyond the reach of my voice and eye in the broken country occu- 
pied by us, had promptly acted on the necessity as it arose, and by 
the time the order could be conveyed, the whole line was developed 
and actively engaged. 

From this time, about seven and a half o'clock, until night, the 
battle raged with little intermission. All parts of our line were 
not constantly engaged, but there was no time without heavy firing 
in some portion of it. 

My position for several hours was opposite my left-centre (Rug- 
gles' division), immediately in rear of Hindman's brigade, Hardee's 
corps. In moving ov^er the difficult and broken ground, the right 
brigade of Ruggles' division, Col. Gibson commanding, bearing to 
the right, became separated from the two left brigades, leaving a 
broad interval. Three regiments of Major-gen. Polk's command 
opportunely came up and filled this interval. Finding no superior 
officer with them, I took the liberty of directing their movements 
in support of Hindman, then as before, ai'dently pressing forward, 
and engaging the enemy at every point. 

On the ground which had come under my immediate observation, 
we had already captured three large encampments and three bat- 
teries of artillery. It was now about ten and a half o'clock. 

Our right flank, according to the order of battle, had pressed for- 
ward ai'dently, under the immediate direction of the commanding 
general, and swept all before it. Batteries, encampmants, store- 
houses, munitions in rich profusion, were ours : and the enemy 
fighting hard and causing us to pay dearly for our successes, was 
falling back rapidly at every point. His left, however, opposite our 
right, was his strongest ground and position, and was disputed with, 
obstinacy. It was during this severe struggle that my command 
suflfered an irreparable loss in the fall of Brig.-gen. Gladden, com- 
manding 1st brigade. Withers' division, mortally, and Col. D. W. 
Adams, Louisiana regular infantry (his successor), severely wounded. 
Nothing daunted, however, by these losses, this noble division, un- 
der its gallant leader, Withers, pressed on with the other troops in 
its vicinity, and carried all before them. Their progress, however, 
under the obstinate resistance made, was not so rapid as was desir- 
ed, in proportion to that of the left, where the enemy was less 
strong ; so that, instead of driving him, as we intended, down the 



228 OFFICIAL EEP0ET8 OF BATTLES. 

river, leaving the left open for him to pass, we had really enveloped 
him on all sides, and were pressing him back upon the landing at 
Pittsburg. 

Meeting at about 10 and a half o'clock, upon the left-centre with , 
Major-gen. Polk, my senior, I promptly yielded to him the important 
command at that point, and moved towards the right, in the direc- 
tion in which Brig,-gen. Hindman, of Hardee's line, had just led 
his division. 

Here we met the most obstinate resistance of the day, the enemy 
being strongly posted with infantry and artillery on an eminence 
immediately behind a dense thicket. Hindman's command was 
gallantly led to the attack, but recoiled under a murderous fire. 
The noble and gallant leader fell severely wounded, and was borne 
from the field he had illustrated with a heroism rarely equalled. 

The command soon returned to its work, but was unequal to the 
heavy task. Leaving them to hold their position, I moved further 
to the right, and brought up the first brigade (Gibson of Ruggles' 
division), which was in rear of its true position, and threw them 
forward to attack this same point. A very heavy fire soon opened, 
and after a short conflict, this command fell back in considerable 
disorder. Rallying the different regiments by means of my staff 
officers and escort, they were twice more moved to the attack, only 
to be driven back by the enemy's sharpshooters occupying the 
thick cover. This result was due entirely to want of proper hand- 
ling. 

Finding that nothing could be done here, after hours of severe 
exertion and heavy losses, and learning the fall of our commander, 
who was leading in person on the extreme right, the troops were so 
posted as to hold this position, and leaving a competent staff officer 
to direct them in my name, I moved rapidly to the extreme right. 
Here I found a strong force, consisting of three parts, without a 
common head; Brig.-gen. Breckinridge with his reserve division 
pressing the enemy ; Brig.-gen. Withers, with his splendid division, 
greatly exhausted, and taking a temporary rest, and Major-gen. 
Cheatham, with his division of Major-gen. Polk's command, to their 
left and rear. These troops were soon put in motion, responding 
with great alacrity to the command of " forward, let every order be 
forward." It was now probably past 4 o'clock, the descending sun 
warning us to press our advantage, and finish the work before night 
should compel us to desist. 

Fairly in motion, these commands again, with a common head 
and a common purpose, swept all before them. Neither battery, 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 229 

nor battalion could withstand their onslaught. Passing through 
camp after camp, rich in military spoils of every kind, the enemy 
was driven headlong from every position, and thrown in confused 
masses upon the river bank, behind his heavy artillery, and under 
cover of his gunboats at the landing. He had left nearly the whole 
of his light artillery in our hands, and some three thousand or more 
prisoners, who were cut off from their retreat by the closing in of 
our troops on the left, under Major-gen. Polk, with a portion of his 
reserve corps, and Brig.-gen. Ruggles, with Anderson's and Pond's 
brigades of his division. * 

The prisoners were dispatched to the rear under a proper guard, 
all else being left on the field, that we might press our advantage. 
The enemy had fallen back in much confusion, and was crowded in 
unorganized masses on the river bank, vainly striving to cross. They 
were covered by a battery of heavy guns well served, and their two 
gunboats, which now poured a heavy fire upon our supposed positions, 
for we were entirely hid by the forest. Their fire, though terrific 
in sound, and producing some consternation at first, did us no dam- 
age, as the shells all jpassed over, and exploded far beyond our posi- 
tions. 

As soon as our troops could be again formed and put in motion, 
the order was given to move forward at all points, and sweep the 
enemy from the field. The sun was about disappearing, so that 
little time was left us to finish the glorious work of the day ; a day 
unsurpassed in the history of warfare for its daring deeds, biilliant 
achievements, and heavy sacrifices. 

Our troops, greatly exhausted by twelve hours' incessant fighting, 
without food, mostly responded to the order with alacrity, and the 
movement commenced with every prospect of success, though a 
heavy battery in our front, and the gunboats on our right, seemed 
determined to dispute every inch of ground. 

Just at this time, an order was received from the commanding 
general, to withdraw the forces beyond the enemy's fire. As this 
was communicated in many instances direct to brigade commanders, 
the troops were soon in motion, and the action ceased. The dif- 
ferent commands mixed and scattered, bivouacked at points most 
convenient to their positions, and beyond the range of the enemy's 
guns. All firing, except a half houi' shot from the gunboats, ceased 
and the whole night was passed by our exhausted men in quiet. 
Such as had not sought shelter in the camps of the enemy, were 
again drenched before morning by one of those heavy rain storms 
which seemed to be our portion for this expedition. 



230 OFFICILL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

Such was the nature of the ground over which we had fought, 
and the heavy resistance we had met, that the commands of the 
whole army were very much shattered. In a dark or stormy night, 
commanders found it impossible to find and assemble their troops ; 
each body or fragment bivouacking when night overtook them. 

In this condition, morning found us confronting a large and fresh 
army, which had arrived during the night, and for the first time the 
enemy advanced to meet us. He was received by our whole line 
with a firm and bold front, and the battle again raged. 

From this hour until 2 p. m., the action continued with great ob- 
stinacy and varying success. Our troops exhausted by days of in- 
cessant fatigue, hunger, and want of rest, and ranks thinned by 
killed, wounded, and stragglers, amounting in the whole, to nearly 
half our force, fought bravely, but with the Avant of that animation 
and spirit which characterized them the preceding day. Many in- 
stances of daring and desperate valor, deserving of better success, 
failed for want of numbers. 

My personal services Avere confined during this day to the ex- 
treme left of our line, where my whole time was incessantly oc- 
cupied. The troops in my front consisted of Ruggles' division, Col. 
Wobue's brigade of Breckinridge's reserve, and other detachments 
of diiferent corps, all operating to the left of Shiloh church. This 
force advanced in the early morning, and pressed the enemy back 
for nearly a mile, securing for our left flank an eminence in an ojien 
field near Owl creek, which we held till near the close of the con- 
flict, against every eifort the enemy could make. For this gallant 
and obstinate defence of our left flank, which the enemy constantly 
endeavored to force, we were indebted to Col. Wobue's small 
brigade in support of Capt. Burn's battery. Against overwhelm- 
ing numbers, this gallant command maintained its position from the 
commencement of the action, until about twelve o'clock, when our 
forces on the left falling back, it Avas left entirely without support, 
far in front of our whole army. Safety required it to retire. Dur- 
ing this time, the right and centre were actively engaged. With- 
ers' division, in conjunction with portions of Hardee's and Breckin- 
ridge's commands, obstinately disputed every efibrt of the enemy. 
But his overwhelming numbers, a very large portion being perfectly 
fresh troops, the prostration of our men, and the exhaustion of our 
ammunition, — not a battalion being supplied, — rendered our po- 
sition most perilous, and the commanding general ordei'ed a retro- 
grade movement to commence on the right. This Avas gradually 
extended to the left, now held by Ketchum's battery. The troops 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 231 

fell back generally in perfect order, and formed in line of battle on 
a ridge about half a mile in the rear. Ketchum retiring slowly as 
the rear guard of the whole army. 

The enemy evinced no disposition to pursue. After some half 
hour our troops were again put in motion and moved about a mile 
further, where line was formed, and final arrangements were made 
for the march of our camp to Corinth, the enemy making not the 
slightest demonstration upon us. 

This orderly movement, under the circumstances, was as credit- 
able to the troops as any part of the brilliant advances they had made. 

A " Field Return" of the force carried into action, marked " A," 
and a return of killed, wounded, and missing, marked " B," and 
the reports of division commanders, marked " C " and " D," ac- 
companied by those of subordinate commanders, are herewith for- 
warded. Of the missing, a few are ascertained to have fallen into 
the hands of the enemy, mostly wounded. The others were, no 
doubt, left dead on the field. 

The heavy loss sustained by the command will best indicate the 
obstinacy the resistance met, and the determination with which it 
was overcome. 

For the part performed by the difierent portions of the corps, re- 
ference is made to the reports of subordinate commanders. 

The division of Brig.-gen. J. M. Withers was gallantly led by that 
officer from the first gun to the close of the action, and performed 
sei'vice rarely suppassed by any troops on the field. 

Brig.-gen. A. H. Gladden, first brigade of this division, fell early 
in the action, mortally wounded, whilst gallantly leading his men in 
a successful charge. No better soldier lived — no truer man or 
nobler patriot ever shed his blood in a just cause. 

Later in the day. Col. D. W. Adams, Louisiana infantry, who 
had succeeded to this si^lendid brigade, was desperately wounded 
whilst gallantly leading it; and later still. Col. Z. C. Deas, 22d Ala- 
bama Volunteers, fell pierced by several balls. 

Brig.-gen. James R. Chalmers, at the head of his gallant Missis- 
sippians, filled, he could not have exceeded, the measure of my ex- 
pectations. Never were troops and commanders more worthy of 
each other and of their State. 

Brig.-gen. J. K. Jackson did good service with his Alabama 
brigade on the first day ; but becoming much broken, it was not 
unitedly in action thereafter. 

The excellent regiment of Col. Jos. Wheeler, however, joined, 
and did noble service with Gladden's brigade. 



232 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

Brig.-gen, D, Ruggles, commanding second division, was con- 
spicuous throughout both days, for the gallantry with which he led 
his troojis. Brig.-gen. Patton Anderson, commanding a brigade of 
this division, was also among the foremost where the fighting was 
hardest, and never failed to overcome whatever resistance was op- 
posed to him. With a brigade composed almost entirely of raw 
troops, his personal gallantry and soldierly bearing supplied the 
jilace of instruction and discij^line. 

It would be a pleasing duty to record the deeds of many other 
noble soldiers of inferior grade, but as subordinate commanders 
have done so in their reports, a repetition is unnecessary, I shall 
be pardoned for making an exception in the case of Capt, R. W, 
Smith, commanding a company of Alabama cavalry, which served 
as my personal escort during the action. For personal gallantry 
and intelligent execution of orders, frequently under the heaviest 
fire, his example has rarely been equalled. To him, his oflicers, and 
his men, I feel a deep personal as well as olBcial obligation. 

By the ofiicers of my staff I was most faithfully, laboriously, and 
gallantly served throughout both days, as well as on the marches 
before and after the action. A record of their names is an ac- 
knowledgment but justly due. 

Major Geo. G. Garner, As't. Adj.-gen. (horse wounded on Sunday.) 

Capt. H, W. Walter, Assistant Adj.-gen. 

Capt. G, B, Cook, " « 

1st Lieut. Tonson Ellis, Regular Aid. 
" F. S. Parker, " « 

Lieut.-col. F. Gardner, C. S. A. 

" W. K. Beard, Florida Volunteers (wounded on Mon- 
day), Acting Inspector gen. 

Major J. H. Hallenquist, P. A., Chief of Artillery. 

Capt. W. O. Williams, P. A., Assistant to Chief of Artillery. 
" S. H. Lockett, C. S. Engineers. 
" 11. Oladnoski, C. S. A., Chief of Ordnance. 

Major J. J. Walker, P. A., Chief of Subsistence, 
" L. F. Johnston, P. A., Chief Quarter-master, 
" O. P. Cliaffee, P, A,, Assistant Quarter-master. 

Surgeon A. I, Foard, C. S, A., Medical Director. 
" J. C, Nott, P, A., Medical Inspector. 

Doctor Robert O. Butler, of Louisiana Volunteers, for the occa- 
sion rendered excellent service in our field hospitals, 

Lieut.-col. David Urquhart, Aid to the Governor of Louisiana, 
served me with great intelligence and efficiency as Volunteer Aid. 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 233 

Several other oiEcers, during the engagement, temporarily sepa- 
rated from their own commands, did me the favor to act on my 
staff, and served me efficiently. Privates H. Montague and M. 
Shehan, Louisiana infantry, and private John Williams, 10th Regi- 
ment Mississippi Volunteers, orderlies in attendance on myself and 
staff, though humble in position, rendered services so useful and 
gallant that their names are fully entitled to a mention in thia 
report. They encountered the same dangers, and, when necessary, 
performed nearly the same duties as officers of my staff, without the 
same incentives. In rallying troops, bringing up stragglers and 
enforcing orders against refugees, they were especially active, ener- 
getic, and efficient. 

It may not be amiss to refer briefly to the causes it is believed 
operated to prevent the complete overthrow of the enemy, which 
we were so near accomplishing, and which would have changed the 
entire complexion of the war. 

The want of proper organization and discipline, and the inferi- 
ority in many cases of our officers to the men they were expected 
to command, left as often without system or order, and the laro-e 
proportion of stragglers resulting, weakened our forces, and kept 
the superior and staff officers constantly engaged in the duties of 
file-closers. Especially was this the case after the occupation of the 
enemy's camps, the spoils of which served to delay, and greatly to 
demoralize our men. But no one cause, probably, contributed so 
greatly to our loss of time, which was the loss of success, as the 
fall of the commanding general. At the moment of this irreparable 
disaster, the plan of battle was being rapidly and successfully exe- 
cuted under his immediate eye and lead on the right. For want 
of a common superior to the different commands on that part of 
the field, greart delay occurred after this misfortune, and that delay 
prevented the consummation of the work so gallantly and success- 
fully begun and carried on, until the approach of night induced our 
new commander to recall the exhausted troops for rest and recu- 
peration, before a crowning effort on the next morning. The 
arrival during the night of a large and fresh army to reinforce the 
enemy, equal in nimibers at least to our own, frustrated all his well- 
grounded expectations, and after a long and bloody contest with 
superior forces, compelled us to retire from the field, leaving our 
killed, many of our wounded, and nearly all the trophies of the 
previous day's victories. 

In this result we have a valuable lesson, by which we should 
profit — never on a battle-field to lose a moment's time ; but, leaving 



234 OiTICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

the killed, wounded and spoils to those whose sjiecial business it is 
to care for tlieni, to [)ress on with every available man, giving a 
panic-stricken and retreating foe no time to rally, and reaping all 
the benefits of a success never complete, until every enemy is killed, 
wounded, or captured. No course so certain as this to afford suc- 
cor to the wounded and security to the trophies. 
I am, sir, very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 
• BRAXTON BRAGG, General Commanding. 
P. S. The transmission of this report has been delayed from 
time to time, that those from subordinate commanders with a com- 
plete and perfect list of killed, wounded, and missing might accom- 
pany it. In this hope I am yet disappointed to a certain extent. 



(A.) 

Field Return, showing the Number of Killed, "Wounded, and 
Missing, and the Aggregate Strength of each Division, 2d 
Corps, Aristy of the Mississippi, April 6th, 1862. 

Withers' Division; killed, 293; wounded, 1334; missing, 253; 
total, 1880 ; aggregate strength, 6482. 

Ruggles' Division; killed, 240; wounded, 1103; missing, 269; 
total, 1612 ; aggregate strength, 6484. 

Grand total; killed, 533; wounded, 2437; missing, 522; total, 
4492; aggregate strength, 12,966. 



Report of Brig.-gen. Withers. 

Head-quarters Withers' Division, 
Camp near Tupelo, June 20th, 1862. 
Major: — I have the honor to report that before daylight, on 
Saturday morning, the 5th of April, this division was reported ready 
to march, and that immediately after the rear of the advanced com- 
mand was in motion, it moved forward in the following order : 
1st — Gladden's brigade. 
2d — Chalmer's brigade. 
3d — Jackson's brigade. 



OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 235 

Arriving near the proposed line of battle, by order of Gen. Bragg, 
Gladden's brigade was thrown forward to the right of Gen. Hardee's 
advanced or attacking lines. Jackson's brigade was then positioned 
about 300 yards to the rear of Gladden's, its left resting on the Bark 
road. Chalmers' was formed on the right of Jackson's, its right 
resting on a creek, ti'ibutary to Lick creek, being in echelon to, and 
on, Gladden's right. Clanton's cavalry having reported for duty 
with the division, was placed in the rear of Chalmers, with a strong 
picket on the right and front. Thus, the division bivouacked for 
the night. 

The attacking line being put in motion early on the morning of 
the 6th, this command was ordered forward, retaining its relative 
position. With the advance it was soon perceptible that there was 
a gradual but steady inclination to the left, thus increasing the dis- 
tance to, and exposing our flank on. Lick creek. To remedy this, 
Col. Clanton was directed to sweep down Lick creek with his 
cavalry, and to protect our right fi"om surprise. 

By this time, our attacking line was warmly engaged with the 
enemy, and steadily driving them back. Learning that the enemy 
were in force in front of Gen. Chalmers, whose brigade extended to 
the right of our attacking line, he was ordered forward to attack 
them. This he did promptly, gallantly, and successfully. Moving 
forward, we passed the first camp, from which the enemy had been 
driven, and came up with Gladden's brigade, formed in square, and 
under command of Col. D. W. Adams, 1st Louisiana infantry. Gen. 
Gladden having been dangerously, and, as the result unfortunately 
proved, mortally wounded. In the meantime, Chalmers' brigade 
had moved steadily onward, and after a short but hot contest, 
drove the enemy from their second camp. Having thus become 
t6o much sepai-ated from the remainder of the command. Gen. Chal- 
mers was ordered to resume his position on Jackson's right. Here 
some delay occurred in moving forward, the movements of the 
enemy being concealed ; and a report being brought in that they 
were forming in line of battle some distance on our right. Gen. A. 
S. Johnston, who was present, immediately ordered the division to 
move to the right. This movemerit was promptly and rapidly per- 
formed, over ground that was rough, broken, and heavily timbered. 
Having led the command about one-half or three-fourths of a mile 
to the right, it was halted, until the cavalry should ascertain whether 
the enemy still outflanked us. Satisfied that there was no. enemy 
on our right, the order was given to advance. The nature of the 
ground, over which we had to pass, rendered it most difficult for the 



236 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

artillery to keep up with the eager and rapid movements of the in- 
fantry. With such batteries, however, as Robertson's, Grady's, 
and Gage's, there could be no failure. Gen. Jackson, descending 
rapidly the hill on which his brigade had rested, found the enemy in 
strong force on the ojjposite slope. lie promptly engaged, and, after a 
sharp but warm contest, drove them from their position. Col. Moore, 
of the 2d Texas, here displayed great gallantry. In quick pursuit, 
we passed an extensive camp, beyond which, -and on the opposite 
side skirting the wood, the enemy, occupying some bouses, had 
formed a second line. From this position they were also quickly 
driven, but soon formed a third line, on a ridge running nearly 
parallel with the Hamburg and Pittsburg road. 

Gen. Jackson was ordered to move forward a short distance, and 
rest his command in a ravine, untU the artillery could be brought 
up. This was quickly done, and it opened immediately, with telling 
effect, on the enemy. Gen. Chalmers, in the meantime^ advanced 
rapidly upon the enemy, in strong force, beyond an old field, con- 
cealed and protected by a worm fence and thick undergrowth. 
After a short conflict, they were dislodged, and driven from their 
position, and Chalmers halted his command for a supply of am- 
munition. 

These movements caused the brigades to be too widely separated, 
being at right angles, Jackson's facing north, and Chalmers' east. 
Chalmers was, therefore, ordered to move his command to its jDOsi- 
tion on Jackson's right. Satisfied by the report of the energetic 
and indefatigable Clanton, that there was no enemy on our right, 
and being convinced, by the heavy and continuous firing, that they 
were in force on our left, the division was ordered to wheel on a 
movable pivot to the left. This movement, which was in accordance 
with the general plan of battle, as explained by the commanding 
general to the division and brigade commanders, soon developed 
the enemy in strong force, who stubbornly contested our advance, 
but were driven before the cool and steady Jackson, and the gal- 
lant and impetuous Chalmers. Reinforcements were now called for 
on our left, where heavy firing still continued ; but this division 
being hotly engaged throughout the lines. Col. Rich, of the 1st Mis- 
souri, whose regiment was in our rear, having become detached 
from Gen. Brown's brigade, was ordered to the support. He moved 
off immediately at double-quick, and dashed into the fight with good 
effect.. An order for reinforcements was now received from Gen. 
Bragg. As the entire line was now warmly engaged, with no sup- 
port, Gen. Breckenridge, who had just had a sharp conflict with, 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 237 

and driven the enemy before liim, was called on to render the de- 
sired assistance. This was done without other delay than that 
necessary to furnish his troops with ammunition. 

This division still continued fiercely engaged, until Chalmers, 
having routed the forces before him, began to sweep down on the 
left flank of the heavy force in front of Jackson ; at the same time 
that Gladden's brigade, now under command of Col. Deas, of the 
22d Alabama, the bold and impetuous Adams having been danger- 
ously wounded in the head, whilst gallantly leading his command, 
began to press him on his right. Thus positioned, the enemy sur- 
rendered, and were marched out on the Hamburg road, through 
Jackson's brigade, and placed by me in charge of Col. Shorter, with 
his regiment, the 18th Alabama, and marched to Corinth. The 
enemy captured proved to be the command of Gen. Prentiss. 

This division was then advanced to the Pittsburg edge of the 
field, in which the enemy had stacked their arms, and halted for a 
supply of ammunition. Most of the regiments were supplied from 
the camps of the enemy. The order was now given by Gen. Bragg, 
who was present on the right during the fierce fight, which ended 
in the capture of Prentiss, to " Sweep every thing forward." This 
division was moved promptly forward, although some regiments 
had not succeeded in getting a sujoply of ammunition, and had just 
entered a steep and precipitous ravine, when the enemy opened a 
terrific fire upon it. Staif officers were immediately dispatched, to 
bring up all the reinforcements to be found, and the order was given 
to brigade commanders to charge the batteries. These orders were 
being obeyed, when, to my astonishment, a large portion of the 
command was observed to move rapidly by the left flank, from 
under tlie fire of the enemy. Orders were immediately sent to ar- 
rest the commanding ofticers, and for the troops to be promptly 
placed in a position for charging the batteries. 

Information was soon brought, however, that it was by Gen. 
Beauregard's orders, delivered thus directly to brigade command- 
ers, that the troops w^ere being rapidly led from under the fire of 
the enemy's gunboats. Thus ended the fight on Sunday, and thus 
was this command disorganized, an evil sorely felt during the next 
day. 

Receiving at this time an order from Gen. Bragg, to take com- 
mand of all the troops on the right, and it being now near dark, 
the order was given to fall back about half a mile, and bivouack for 
the night. Chalmers' brigade resting in rear nearest the enemy, and 
the remainder of the troops at the second of the camps from the 



238 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

one last captured, under command of Col. Wheeler, 19tli Alabama. 
Here we met Col. Hardee, with Col. Mai'tin's 1st Confederate regi- 
ment. 

At 4 o'clock, Monday riiorning, the troops were jJut in motion to 
form line of battle, on the road leading from this camp diagonally 
to the left and rear, to a road branching off to the right, from the 
Bark and Pittsburg roads, and nearly a mile distant from the camp. 
Chalmers' brigade was to form the rear guard until this otherwise 
fragmentary command could be worked into some shape, the order 
being given to force all stragglers into ranks. The head of this line 
had but just reached the point at which it was to halt, when an order 
was received from Gen. Bragg to move my command to the assist- 
ance of Gen. Anderson, who was hotly pressed by the enemy. With 
receipt of this order came a message from Gen. Chalmers, that he 
had already had one fierce engagement with the enemy, and was 
then in the second. Every available man was immediately marclied 
back, and line of battle formed near the position occupied by us 
through the night, Chalmer's brigade being on the right, the 19th 
and 21st Alabama, and the 2d Texas, on the left, Col. Moore, of 
the 2d Texas, being in command of the left. Robertson's battery 
was placed in position at the edge of an old field, with instructions 
to sweep the enemy from our front, and also to aid some command 
on the left (believed to be Anderson's) which seemed to be warmly 
engaged. The reserre consisted of the " Crescent La.," Col. Mar- 
tin's Confederate regiment, and Maney's 1st Tenn., with whatever 
other troops, from time to time, could be picked up. 

At this time an order was received from Gen. Beauregard to 
charge the enemy, in conjunction with Gen. Breckinridge. The 
charge was made by us, but Gen. Breckinridge was neither there 
nor subsequently in that portion of the field. The enemy proved 
to be in such numbers that it became necessary to bring our entire 
force into action, and the fight continued with sullen desperation for 
several hours, and with alternate success. Between half-past two 
and three o'clock, finding that the enemy were content to hold their 
position and not advance on us, our line of the morning was 
resumed, the left under the command of the gallant Col. Maney, of 
the 1st Tennessee regiment. Shortly after this an order was re- 
ceived from Gen. Bragg to withdraw the troops in good order, and 
form line of battle on the crest of the hill on the right branch of the 
Bark road. This was done, and the command slowly and in good 
order retired through two of the enemy's camjjs, not a gun being 
fired, and formed line of battle as ordered; the advanced line under 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 239 

Col. Wheeler ; the reserve under Col. Martin, with Col. Moore, of 
th3 2d Texas, to support a battery, commanding a road running to 
our right and rear. The cavalry was thrown to our from. Thus 
we remained until dark, the entire army", with the exception of the 
cavalry, having retired from the field, when we received an order 
from Gen. Bragg, that, holding the command in readiness to form 
line of battle at any moment, we would fall back to Meckey's. This 
order was obeyed ; Chalmers' worn brigade and the Crescent regi- 
ment were permitted to pass on to the rear, and the remainder of 
the troops marched to within about a mile of Meckey's, where they 
were placed under the command of Col. Wheeler, who, throughout 
the fight, had proved himself worthy of all trust and confidence — 
a gallant commander and an accomplished soldier — and there bivou- 
acked for the night. After eleven o'clock at night we arrived at 
Meckey's, where we found that Gen. Breckinridge was in command 
of what has been called the rear guard. With him. Col. Wheeler, 
with his regiment, the 19th Alabama, was left on Tuesday morning, 
and the remainder of the command marched back to Corinth. 

Though temporarily detached, the reports from Gladden's brigade 
were forwarded to division head-quarters. From these and the 
proximity of the brigade during the fight, abundant evidences of 
the ability and gallantry of its commanders are furnished. The 
true and tried Gladden fell early on the morning of the 6th, the 
fearless Adams about half-past eleven o'clock. From that hour, 
during that and the next day, the brigade was ably commanded by 
Col. Deas, of the 22d Alabama, who, though without a staif oflicer 
to aid him, proved himself equal to the occasion, and worthy of the 
gallant command to which he had succeeded, and which, although 
severely wounded, he continued to hold through the fight. 

The division entered the fight sixty-four hundred and eighty-two 
strong, and came out with an aggregate loss of nineteen hundred, 
and eighteen, apportioned among the several brigades as follows : 

Gladden's — 129 killed; 597 wounded; 103 missing. 
Chalmer's— 82 " 343 " — " 

Jackson's— 86 " 365 " 213 " 

thus fui-nishing stern but sad evidence of the manner in which the 
command discharged its duty. 

In the fight on Sunday, Capt. D. E. Huger, Assistant-adj.-gen., 
Provisional Army ; Lieut. B. M. Thomas, C. S. A., Acting Inspector 
Gen. ; Lieut. D. F. Withers, A. D. C. ; and volunteer aids, R. W. 
Withers, S. B. Howe, William Williamson, and L. E. Smith, dis- 



210 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

charged the duties of their respective positions with active z( al and 
gallantry. Through the fight on Monday, Capt. Huger, Lieut. 
Thomas, and Volunteer-aid R. W. Withers, were all the staff 
present on the right, the others having become separated Sunday 
evening, and each more than sustained the reputation gained the 
day before. Major Reynolds, of the 2d Texas, volunteered as a 
staff officer when the division commander was temporarily alone, 
and performed gallant and efficient service. 

To Mr. Lafayette Veal, a noble and patriotic citizen of Tennessee, 
this command and the country are indebted for laborious and indis- 
pensable services, in guiding our righls under constant fire down Lick 
creek and the Tennessee river to within half a mile of Pittsburg. 

Brigade and regimental reports were duly forwarded, and the 
causes which have delayed the handing in of this report are known 
to the commanding general. 
I am, major. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

J. M. WITHERS, 
brigadier General^ commanding Division. 
Major Geo. G. Garner, 

Assistant Adjutant General. 



Report of Col. J. Q. Loomis, commanding First 
Brigade. 

Camp near Corinth, Miss., 
April 13th, 1862, 
D. E. Huger, 

Captain and Assistant Adjutant General: 

Sir : — Herewith I have the honor to transmit such of the reports 
as I have been able to procure from the regimental commanders. 

To attempt a report of the brigade would be a difficult work 
upon my part. The officers who commanded during the engage- 
ment are either killed or wounded ; and those upon whom the labor 
should more properly devolve, and who could more properly speak 
ot the action of the brigade, are absent. 

We engaged the enemy at seven and a half o'clock a. m., on the 
6th instant, under command of Gen. Gladden, and in a short time. 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 241 

while leading a charge upon the enemy's lines and battery, that 
gallant officer received a wound, of which he has since died. In 
his death, our country has sustained a serious loss. He was one of 
nature's noblemen ; a good soldier, an accomplished gentleman, and 
a true patriot. Long will his name live in the memory of those 
whom he so gallantly led against our enemy's forces. About this 
time, too, Major Armstead, of the 22d Alabama regiment, fell, a 
true patriot and brave soldier, in the full discharge of the duties of 
his position. While we pause to drop a tear of sorrow upon his 
grave, let us be encouraged to emulate his brave deeds. 

After Gen. Gladden was wounded, the command devolved upon 
Col. Adams, of the 1st Louisiana infantry, who continued in charge, 
doing deeds of noble daring, until about 2 o'clock, p. jr., when he 
fell severely wounded. Colonel Deas, of the 22d Alabama, then 
took command for the rest of the day, receiving several wounds, 
but still remaining upon the field, deporting himself as a true sol- 
dier, exposing himself to the fire of the enemy, and winning the 
hearts of the whole brigade. On Monday, the brigade becoming 
disunited, attached themselves to different commands, but continued 
on the field until ordered to retire. 

So far as came under my observation, the officers deported them- 
selves as men^ fighting nobly for all that is most dear, " life, liberty, 
and the pursuit of happiness." The undersigned hoj^es that in a 
short time, those who commanded the brigade may return to their 
wonted health, and be prepared to make a report that will do full 
and ample justice to a command that bore itself ^o gallantly on the 
field. 

Very respectfully, your most obedient servant, 

J. Q. LOOMIS, 
Colonel comtnanding 1st brigade, Withers^ Division. 



Report of Col, Daniel W. Adams. 

Corinth, Miss., May 20, 1862. 

D. E. HUGEK, 

A. A. G., General Withers'' Division : 

S^R : — As the Col. of the first regiment of Louisiana infantry in 
the early part of the day, in the battle of Shiloh, on the 6th of 

16 



242 OFFICIAL EEFOKTS OF BATTLES. 

Aj^ril, 1862, in command of my regiment, and subsequently in com- 
mand of the brigade to which it was attached, it was my duty to 
have reported to you before this, but I have been delayed, by the 
effects of the very severe wound I received, until the present 
moment. . 

As you are aware, Gen. Gladden's brigade, to which my regiment 
belonged and constituted the right, were attached, on the evening 
of the 5th April, to Gen. Hardee's division, and was placed on the 
riglit, and in that position went into the battle on the morning of 
the 6th. As we approached the enemy, we found immediately in 
front of us the encampments of several regiments and the head- 
quarters of Gen. Prentiss, who was in command of that division of 
their army. Their line of battle, composed of infantry, supported 
by artillery, was formed just outside of their encampments, with 
detachments of sharpshooters in the thick woods and bushes on our 
right. When we reached a position of about two hundred yards 
of the enemy's lines, near the hour of half-past eight o'clock a.m., 
they opened a very heavy fire upon us with the rifled muskets, 
followed very soon thereafter with the fire of their artillery. In a 
very short time after the engagement commenced. Gen. Glad- 
den, who was gallantly commanding in the advance of the brigade, 
received a very severe wound — wliich afterwards proved mortal — 
from a cannon shot, and having to be taken from the field, relin- 
quished the command of the brigade in my favor. Finding that 
the enemy were then pouring a most destructive fire upon us, I 
ordered a rapid advance of the brigade, to drive them from their 
cover ayd position ; but, as we advanced, the fire became so very 
severe, that I found the whole brigade began to falter, and finally 
to fall back. Fearing the worst consequences, I rode to the color- 
bearer of the first regiment, Louisiana infantry, the command of 
which I had turned over to Major Farrar, and seizing the battle- 
flag, placed myself in front of the brigade and called upon them to 
follow me, which they did with great alacrity ; and leading them 
close to the enemy's lines, I ordered a charge, which was promptly 
and eft'ectively execitted. The enemy was driven from their position 
and retreated very rapidly. Following them, we took possession 
of the encampment and of Gen. Prentiss' head-quarters, and some 
of the privates of the Louisiana regiment seized and secured seven 
stand of colors. During our advance and the charge, Captain 
Robertson's battery of artillery, attached to the brigade, opened on 
the enemy with great power and effect, and greatly aided in accom- 
plishing the enemy's defeat. Shortly after we had driven the 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES, 243 

enemy from this encampment and taken possession, I formed the 
line of battle on the other side of it, for a further advance. The 
enemy reappeared at a distance of some three or four hundred 
yards, and apparently, as reported to me, largely reinforced, formed 
the line of battle, and commenced advancing on us, opening at the 
same time with their artillery. I immediately ordered Capt. Rob- 
ertson's battery up, which was rapidly placed in position and 
returned the enemy's fire with such promptness and great effect, 
that it drove them from their guns and caused them to abandon 
their battery, which we afterwards took possession of. About this 
time Gen. Hardee and staff passed, and the Gen. instructed me t© 
throw out some companies in advance as skirmishers, to see if the 
enemy were- really in front of us, in large force, and to avoid col- 
lision with our friends ; which I did, and found that the represent- 
ations were correct, and that the enemy was being reinforced and 
advancing on our positition. At this time, I received an order 
from Gen. Bragg to advance with the brigade, and would have 
done so immediately, but found that many of the men in the com- 
mand, had nearly exhausted their ammunition. As soon as this 
deficiency M^as supplied, I ordered an advance, when the divisions 
of Gens. Cheatham and Breckinridge coming up to my right and 
left, and advancing, a portion of their forces were so interposed be- 
tween my command and the enemy's, that when within range, I 
received a message so requesting me, and was constrained to halt 
and remain in that position for over an hour. 

During this time, the enemy opened upon us again with their 
artillery, Avhen I directed Capt. Robertson to return their fire, 

which he did with great effect. Capt. • battery of artillery, 

also came up and rendered valuable services and assistance. Await- 
ing a change of position that could allow me to advance, and riding 
down the line of the brigade, about the hour of half-past two 
o'clock, I received a very severe wound from a rifle ball in the 
head, which caused me to be taken form the field, and I had to 
relinquish the command to Col. Zack Deas, of the 22d Alabama 
regiment. 

During the time that I was in command of the first Louisiana 
regiment, and the brigade, the oflicers and men generally acted 
with great gallantry and courage, and the brigade is entitled tc 
credit for having carried one of the enemy's strongest positions. 
Very respectfully, 
(Signed) DANIEL W. ADAMS, 

Col. \st Regiment Loxdsiana Infantry. 



244 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Report of Col. Z. C. Deas. 

Mobile, April 25th, 1862 
To D. E. HuGER, 

Captain and A. A. General^ Corinth, Ifiss. : 

Captain : — I have the honor to report that, on the morning of 
the 6th April, this brigade, composed of the 1st Louisiana infantry, 
Col. D. W. Adams, 21st Alabama, Lieut.-col. S. W. Cayce, 2 2d 
Alabama, Col. Z. C. Deas, 25th Alabama, Col. J. Q. Loomis, 26th 
Alabama, Col. Coltart, and Robertson's battery, Capt. Robertson, 
under command of Brig.-gen. Gladden, moved out of camp, 
marching in line of battle, and shortly after 7 o'clock, came i;pon 
the enemy, when the engagement commenced. One of their bat- 
teries was playing upon us with effect, but in a short time Robert- 
son's battery was brought on our side, which soon silenced theii's. 
We then charged, driving the enemy flying through their camp. 
In this charge sevei"al colors were captured. 

Just before this charge was made, Gen. Gladden, while gloriously 
sustaining tlie reputation won in Mexico, at the head of the immor- 
tal Palmetto regiment, received a wound from a cannon ball, which 
proved fatal. 

Beyond this camp, the brigade now under command of Col. 
Adams, was halted, and after a time, a battery stationed near their 
next camp opened upon us, Avhich was responded to by Robertson's, 
and after a sharp contest, silenced. 

Orders were now received to move forward in support of Gen. 
Chalmers, and while here, the gallant Adams, when encouraging 
his men by his reckless daring and ajsparent contempt of the mis- 
siles of death flying thick around him, received a severe wound in 
the head. 

The command of the brigade now devolved upon me, without in- 
structions, without a staff ofiicer, or even one of my own regiment 
mounted to assist me. I moved forward to aid where I could, and 
before proceeding far, came up with Gen. Breckinridge, who was 
warmly engaged on my right. I immediately advanced to his as- 
sistance. The fire here was very severe, and I sent back for the 
26th Alabama to come up (which they failed to do), and also for a 
battery, which was brought up promptly, and with this assistance, 
after a hard and long continued struggle, we succeeded in driving 
the enemy back. At this point Geu. Bragg came up and ordered 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 245 

me to change direction. Obliquing to the left, in a short time I 
came upon the enemy again drawn up some distance in front of 
another camp, and after a short but very sharp engagement, drove 
them before me, pursuing them to their camp, where I assisted in 
ca2:»turing a large number. 

Here, in the hot pursuit, the 21st and 25th Alabama became sep- 
arated from me in the woods, and before I had time to find them, I 
received an order from Gen. Withers to form on the extreme left, 
where I remained until night came on, and then attempted to get 
back to the camp I had left, but got into a diiFerent one. My men 
being now completely exhausted, and not having had anything to 
eat since morning, I encamped here for the night. 

On inspection I found I had under my command only the 1st 
Louisiana infantry and the 22d Alabama, numbering respectively 
101 and 123 men, with about an average of fifteen rounds of ammu- 
nition, although both regiments had replenished during the day. 

At daylight on the morning of the 7th, I sent Capt. R. I. Hill to 
hunt for Gen. "Withers' division, and also to get information. He 
soon returned, and reported that the enemy were advancing. I 
immediately marched over and formed on the left of a division com- 
manded by Col. Russell. Under his orders we advanced, but per- 
ceiving the enemy's skirmishers on our left and reai', fell back to 
our first position. While here, the enemy opened upon us with 
artillery, when we moved beyond the crest of a hill, and I placed 
my command, in support of a battery, where I remained until I re- 
ceived orders from Gen. Bragg to attack a force on my left. While 
marching to this attack, I was joined by the 4th Kentucky, and 
with these fragments of regiments, numbering together less than 
five hundred, I attacked two brigades, but after continuing this 
unequal contest for nearly half an hour, and nearly one-half of my 
command had been killed or wounded, I gave the order to fiill back, 
which was done in good order. I now formed and moA^ed forward 
again, with the remnant of my brigade (now reduced to about sixty 
men), in the last attack under Gen. Beauregard. Here my second 
horse was killed, and I, having been wounded some time previously, 
was unable to march. 

The indomitable courage and pei'severance of the oflicers and men 
of this brigade, the willingness and gallantry with which they ad- 
vanced to the attack when called upon, after having endured almost 
superhuman fatigues in the desperate and long continued struggles 
of Sunday and Monday, are deserving of the highest encomiums. 
Where so many acted nobly it might appear invidious to particular- 



24^ OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

ize ; but impartiality compels me to record as first in the figbt, the 
1st Louisiana infantry and 22d Alabama. 

I wish here to call the attention of my superiors to such field ofli- 
cers as especially distinguished themselves, under niy immediate 
supervision, for their coolness and gallant bearing under the hottest 
fire: Lient.-col. F. C. Marrast, 22d Alabama, Major F. H. Farrar, 
1st Louisiana infanti'y, and Major George D. Johnston, 25th Ala- 
bama, and also to Adjutants Kent, 1st Louisiana, Stout, 25th Ala- 
bama, Travis, 22d Alabama, and Sergeant-major Nott, 22d Alaba- 
ma, acting as aids, for their gallantry and bravery in extending my 
orders. This report is written without having received any of the 
regimental reports, and without being able to consult with any of 
the officers, which will account for my not mentioning all the offi- 
cers of this brigade who distinguished themselves on the field of 
Shiloh. For this information I beg respectfully to refer to the reg- 
imental reports, and also to refer to document A for the killed, 
wounded, and missing. 

I am, captain, very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

Z. C. DEAS, 
Vol. eommatiding \st Brigade^ Withers^ Division. 



Report of Col. Deas, of the operations of the 22d Ala- 
bama regiment. 

Head-Quaetebs 22t) Alabama Regiment, P. A., 

CoKiNTH, Miss., April 11th, 1862. 
General : — I have the honor to report that on the morning of 
6th instant, about 6 o'clock, under orders of Gen. Gladden, I moved 
my regiment out of camp, numbering 404 rifles and 31 officers, and 
forming a part of Gen. Gladden's brigade. Marching in line of battle, 
at about 7 o'clock we came upon the enemy, drawn up in fi-ont of 
their camp, where they opened fire upon us, with their infantry and 
a battery of artillery, to which we resix)nded. Robertson's battery 
was brought into action, which soon silenced theirs, and shortly 
afterwards the enemy wavered, and we charged over tlioir disman- 
tled guns, driving them through their camp, where we halted to re- 
form, and after a short time they again opened upon us with another 



OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 247 

battery, which was silenced by oiu- batteries. We then moved for- 
ward a few hundred yards, and halted in support. Here Col. 
Adams, who was in command (Gen. Gladden having been very 
seriously wounded by a cannon ball in the first engagement), was 
seriously wounded, and the command of the brigade devolving up- 
on me, Lieut.-Col. Marrast took command of my regiment, and 
will finish this report. Major R. B. Armistead was mortally 
wounded in the first engagement, but he fell vehere every brave 
soldier should be found to fall — in the front rank, doing his whole 
duty, and urging his men on to victory. In him his country has 
lost a most intelligent and gallant oflScer. 
Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

Z. C. DEAS, 

Colonel Commanding. 



Report of Lieut. -col. S. W. Cayce. 

Head-quaetbrs 21st Regiment, Ala. Vol's., 

Corinth, Miss., April 13th, 1862. 
To Lieut. J. Stout, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant General : 

Sir : — I have the honor to submit annexed a tabular statement 
of the loss sustained by my command, (21st Alabama Volunteers,) 
in the late battle near Monterey, on the 6th and Vth inst., amount- 
ing in the aggregate to 198 killed, wounded, and missing. 

Called suddenly from the rank of lieutenant to the command of 
the regiment, having only been placed in charge by Gen. Gladden, 
on the 5th inst., I would especially express my sense of the great 
assistance rendered me by Major Stewart, and senior Capt, John F. 
Jenett, acting as field officers, who, throughout the whole fight, 
fully sustained themselves as brave and gallant officers. In point 
of fact, late Sunday evening (when I had the misfortune to have my 
horse shot, bruising my foot much, and causing me to fall into the 
hands of the enemy, from whom, however, I was fortunately soon 
rescued), and Monday morning, the regiment was under the Major's 
command. 

When all did so well, it would seem invidious to make any dis- 
tinctions; nevertheless, I would mention Lieut. Parker, acting 
Adjutant; Capts. Chamberlain and Stewart, Lieuts. Rogers, Wil- 



248 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

liams, and Savage, as particularly active in the discharge of their 
several duties. 

The men, as a general thing, behaved with great steadiness, 
though exposed at times to a perfect hurricane of shot and shell. 
No less than five men having fallen as color bearers. The move- 
ments of the command having all been by brigade ; ordered by 
brigade commandants, and executed under their supervision, I do 
not deem it necessary to rehearse them. 

I am, sir, very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

S. W. CAYCE. 
Lieut.-col. comm,andi7ig 2\st Alabama Volunteers. 

Col. LooMis, commanding 1st brigade : 

The undersigned having tendered his resignation, the acceptance 
of which, however, was not received until after the fight, and hav- 
ing been in command as stated in the report of Lieut.-col. Cayce, 
does hereby respectfully concur in said report, and endorses its re- 
commendations. 

F. STEWART, 
Xate Major 2lst Alabama Volunteers. 



Report of liieutenant-colonel J. C, Marrast. 

Head-quaktes 22d Alabama kegiment, P, A., 

Corinth, Miss,, April 12, 1862. 
General : I have the honor to report, that about 1 1 and a halt 
o'clock A. M., Sunday, April 6th, the command of this regiment de- 
volved upon me, in consequence of the Avoundingof the gallant Col. 
Adams, 1st Louisiana regiment, and the succession of Col. Deas to 
the command of the Gladden brigade. Col. Adams fell at half-past 
11 o'clock, whilst the two regiments were under cover, the enemy* 
firing upon us with artillery and infantry. We advanced from that 
position through one of the enemy's camps into a hollow, from 
which point we discovered the enemy in houses on the hill beyond. 
Col. Deas ordered me to send two companies to dislodge them, 
whereupon, Capt. Weedon, in command of his company, A, and 
Capt. Nott, of company B, gallantly charged the enemy, and driv- 
ing him before them. The regiment then closed upon the houses, 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 249 

and occupied them as a cover, for about one hour, and did the 
enemy much damage, who was throwing a heavy fire of artillery 
and infantry upon us. Our loss in this engagement was very severe. 
We then charged upon the enemy's position, driving him before us 
about four or five hundred yards, when he made another stand, 
pouring into us a heavy fire. We were then halted in support of 
our artillery, and kept as much as possible under cover, but our loss 
in this aifair also, was considerable. Capt. A. L. Gaines, of company 
C, was here killed, gallantly leading his company. From this posi- 
tion, the enemy were finally driven back, and retreated beyond their 
camps, when the regiment was halted and ordered into camp for 
the night. On the morning of the 7th April (Monday), at daylight, 
I formed my regiment, numbering 1 field and 18 company ofiicers, 
and 124 non-commissioned ofiicers and privates. This regiment, 
together with the 1st Louisiana, under command of Col. Deas, was 
ordered to march, and form on the extreme left of the line of battle, 
then being formed, in which position it remained one hour. Orders 
being received to advance, the regiment mored forward about three 
hundl-ed yards, in the direction of a point occupied by the enemy's 
batteries, then inlaying, without eflfect, upon us. We then halted in 
a hollow, under cover. From this position, I threw out a skirmish- 
ing party of twenty men, under command of Capt. Hart, of company 
K. A few minutes thereafter, we were ordered to fall back, the 
skirmishers not hearing the call to return, Lieut. Wood, of company 
I, with two men, Avere ordered up the slope of the hill to warn them, 
which party has not since been heard from, and are supposed to be 
prisoners. Capt. Hart's party returned to the command all safe, 
and reported not having seen them. The regiment was then, with the 
1st Louisiana, placed under cover, in support of two of oui- batteries, 
where we lay for about two hours, when the whole fell back a dis- 
tance, perhaps half a mile ; when, the new line of battle being form- 
ed, my regiment again regained its position on the extreme left, and 
advanced towards the enemy's position, some three hundred yards, 
when, under cover of the timber, we engaged the enemy, for per- 
haps twenty-five minutes, having been left with the 1st Louisiana 
infantry, isolated and alone, the main line having fallen back to near 
the original place of formation. Li this affair, our loss being severe, 
we were ordered by Col. Deas to fall back to our position in the 
line, which was done in good order. Very soon thereafter, the 
second advance upon the enemy's position was attempted, and af- 
ter advancing about two hundred yards, were halted. Placing my 
men under cover of the timber, we opened fire upon the enemy, 



250 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

which was sustained for only a few minutes. Meeting with a very- 
heavy fire from the enemy, our entire line at this time wavered and 
fell back again to the original position. Our lines being reformed, 
my regiment in its position on the left, we again advanced towards 
the enemy, some one to two hundred yards, and very soon fell back 
again under order. At this time Col. Deas was compelled, from 
loss of blood from wounds received hours before, to retire from the 
field, from which time my regiment was represented in every move- 
ment made towards the enemy, and never retired without an order, 
and did not leave the field until the horses and gunners were re- 
moved from the two pieces of Capt. Ketchum's battery, which had 
to be abandoned. Being informed by the ofiicer in command of 
the battery, that he had been deserted by the troops left for his 
support, I felt it my duty to volunteer the services of my regiment 
for his support. When my command left this position, not a man 
of our army was in front of us. 

I beg to mention the following officers, non-commissioned officers, 
and privates, who were particularly consi^icuous for soldierly bear- 
ing and bravery, throughout the action of two days : 

Capt. John Weedon, of company A. 

Lieut. J. M. Whitney, of company A. 

Corporal Alexander Inman, of company A, killed. 

Corporal S. V. Cain, of company A, wounded. 

Corporal W. Sumner, of company A. 

Private J. L. Penesy, of company A. 

Private J. J. Faught, of company A. 

Capt. J. Deas iSTott, of company B. 

Private Bartlett Anderson, of company B, wounded. 

Private H. C. McMillan, of company B. 

Capt. A, L. Gaines, of company C, killed. 

Private Frank Allen, of company C. 

Private Wm. West, of company H. 

Capt. A. P. Love, of company I, wounded. 

First Sergeant S, J. Skinner, of company I. 

Capt. J. R. Northcutt, of company E, wounded. 

Sergeant R. J. Moore, of company E, wounded. 

Corporal James M. Tedder, of company E, wounded. 

Capt. B. R. Hart, of Company K. 

Second Lieutenant R. L. Marick, of company K, wounded. 

Private Aaron Coifey, of company K. 

Private Monroe Brown, of company K. 

Capt. E. H. Armistead, of company D. 



OFFTCTAL R?:PORTS OF BATTLES. 251 

Capt. R. J. Hill, A. Q. M., wounded. 
Adjutant E. F. Travis, wounded. 
Sergt.-major H. J. Nott. 
Quaitermaster-sergt, C. J. MichailofFsky. 
Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

J. C. MARRAST, 

Lieut-col. Commandmg, 



Report of Col. J. Q. Loomis, 

Corinth, Miss., 13th April, 1862. 
A. A. A. General : 

Sir : — I have the honor to submit the annexed report of the 
losses sustained by the 25th Alabama regiment, in the battle of the 
6th and 7th instant. Owing to the prevalence of the measles and 
mumps, I was able to take but three hundred and five (305) men in 
the action ; of this number were lost in killed and wounded. 

This regiment formed a part of the 1st brigade of Wither's divi- 
sion, under command of Gen. Gladden. This report not being 
intended as an eulogy on the regiment, I will only say it did its 
duty, fighting side by side with the other regiments of the brigade, 
charging promptly when ordered, and in good order, and only fall- 
ing back when commanded. With the brigade, it was engaged in 
every charge and attack on the 6th, and on the 7th, the brigade 
being disorganized, the regiment fell in with a Missouri regiment, 
and fought until the conclusion of the engagement. 

I remained in command of the regiment until 4 o'clock on the 6th, 
assisted greatly by my major, Geo. D.- Johnston, and Adjutant 
Stout, whose coolness and intrepidity upon the field is worthy of all 
praise. About 4 o'clock, I received a wound upon the head from a 
musket ball, doing very slight external injury, but producing a con- 
cussion of the brain, and rendering me unfit for commanding during 
the rest of the engagement. 

Major Johnston then took command, and led the regiment gal- 
lantly through the fight. 

Three stands of colors were captured from tie enemy — one Avas 
l^resented by Major Johnston to Gen. Hardee, upon the field, the 
other two were thoughtlessly torn up by the men, and taken as me- 
mentoes of the battle. The ofiicers, most of them, bore themselves 
gallantly upon the field. 



252 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

CajDt. ' Costello, Lieuts. Smith and Slaughter, deserve especial 
mention Sergeant Scofield captured two flags. Private Vauu was 
the first at a battery, and took the color-bearer's horse. Numbers 
of such instances might be mentioned, if necessary, but all did well 
— a noble rivalry existed of who should do the most, and the whole 
brigade acquitted themselves as men should who were fighting for 
their homes and firesides. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your ob't serv't, 

J. Q. LOOMIS, 
Colonel 2bth Megiment, Ala., I*. A. 



Report of Lieutenant-Colonel William D, Chad-wick. 

Head-quartees 26th Alabama RegimeiStt, 

April 12, 1SG2. 
To Major C. D. Anderson, 

A. A. Gen. \st Brigade^ Withefs Division, Army of the 3Iiss.: 
Sir : In the absence of the colonel commanding, it becomes my 
duty to report the action of this regiment in the battle .of the 6th 
and 7th instant. Our position was on the left of Gladden's bi'igade, 
joining the right of Gen. Hardee's command. The regiment entered 
the engagement exceedingly wearied and without breakfast. I was 
ordered, on leaving the city the 3d instant, to bring up the rear of 
the brigade and take charge of the baggage train. The miserable 
condition of the roads caused an almost incessant bogging of the 
overloaded wagons. It was, therefore, late at night when we 
reached Monterey, where we were joined by Col, Coltart, who for 
the first time took command. We were scarcely quiet in our 
bivouac when we were disturbed by a heavy shower. The following 
night was spent in the same manner, and with less rest. On the 
5th we reached our line of battle, in front of the enemy's camp. 
After having rested in place a few hours, we Avere ordered on picket 
duty. The night was spent without sleej). Returning to the line 
of battle a little aft^r daylight, we were ordered forward without a 
moment's halt. On reaching the scene of action, the regiment was 
momentarily thrown in rear of our brigade by the troops on our 
left precipitately rushing in before us while we were crossing a 
marsh, A perplexing confusion ensued, which it was evident could 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 253 

only be remedied by moving up on the right of our own brigade ; 
which was done, Avithout an order from Gen. Gladden, as we were 
unable to obtain one. We occupied the only available space in the 
line, and in a few moments were hotly engaged, contributing a full 
share to the driving back of the enemy. When the charge was 
made upon the line and into the camp of the enemy, the 26th was 
among the first to penetrate them. Passing through the camp, we 
were halted in rear of the tents, along a line of tents immediately 
beneath the path of a terrific cannonading between our own and 
the enemy's batteries. There Major Gwyne was wounded by an 
exploding shell. After remaining in this position for nearly an hour, 
and having regained our proper position in our own brigade, we 
were ordered forward and again engaged the enemy, about five 
hundred yards in advance of the position first mentioned. Thd 
conflict was severe for a short iime, when the enemy, falling back, 
moved to our left. The regiment made a corresponding movement 
to prevent his flanking us. Here Ave were exposed to a heavy fire « 
from the enemy's batteries and small arms without being able to 
return it, owing to the position of one of our own batteries, which 
had fallen back from the high ground in advance of us, and taken 
position immediately in our front. After remaining fifteen or 
twenty minutes in this position, we again moved to the right, and 
advancing to the margin of an open field, found ourselves again in 
the midst of a severe conflict. Here Col. Coltart was wounded 
and the regiment sufiered seriously. The colonel being compelled 
to retire, and Major Gwyne having been disabled, I was left Avithout 
the aid of any field officer. Our firing Avas continued briskly until 
the colonel returned, having had his wound dressed. He Avas able 
to remain but a few moments. Seeing the exhausted condition of 
the regiment, he ordered, or rather advised me, to withdraw it from 
the field. I resolved, however, to continue as long as the remainder 
of the command was able to contribute any thing to what I re- 
garded as an approaching triumph. The enemy's fire having ceased 
for a time, the regiment was ordered to rest in place for a few 
minutes, after which I determined to advance. Just at this time, 
however, I Avas oflacially informed that Gen, Shafier's brigade was 
to come by the road which lay beyond the open field, immediately 
in my front and parallel Avith its eastern margin. I at once deter- 
mined to report this to Col. Deas, then in command of our brigade, 
and Avith his concurrence to remain in the position until ShaflTer's 
brigade should approach, and tlien move in co-operation Avith it. I 
was ordered by Col. Deas to do so. Watching the road narrowly, 



254 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

I discovered a column of at least two regiments approaching by the 
designated road. On viewing thera minutely, aided by Major 
Mumford, of Gen. Johnston's staff, I found them to be Federal 
troops. They halted immediately in my front, advanced to the 
fence and some houses, and opened a severe fire upon us. Feeling 
assured that the regiments of our brigade on our right had advanced, 
or would do so, I resolved to charge the enemy and drive them from 
the fence and houses just mentioned, provided I could get any sup- 
port on my left that would prevent their flanking me. The gallant 
Col. Forrest offered his support. The charge was made, and the 
enemy driven from the position. The position of the cavalry, how- 
ever, on my left in a tangled wood, prevented their rendering the 
assistance which they would otherwise have done. The regiment 
on my right did not fire a gun while I remained in the position. 
We, however, maintained it long enough to fire about ten rounds, 
suffering at the same time the most terrific fire from the enemy in 
our front and from both flanks of his column. He also turned his 
artillery upon the houses about which we were sheltered. Having 
only about two hundred men left, and seeing that they must all be 
sacrificed if I remained, without gaining any material advantage, I 
withdrew them to a road in rear of the field and awaited orders, 
the men being quite exhausted. Finding no one to whom I could 
report, I then moved back to the enemy's camp near where we had 
entered it in the forenoon. This was about 4 o'clock p. m. Col. 
Coltart was able to join us at that place, and ordered the regiment 
a few hundred yards further back, where we spent the night. 

Monday morning, April 7, Col. Coltart's condition compelled him 
to leave the regiment for Corinth, The regiments of our brigade 
having been scattered, I was ordered by Gen. Withers. to report to 
Brig.-gen. Chalmers. We went into battle in his brigade. Attacks 
of sickness, extreme exhaustion, and in some cases a want of moral 
courage, had reduced our number to less than one hundred and fifty 
men. With these we went into battle, but with veiy little efiiciency, 
owing to the physical exhaustion of the men and the condition of 
our arms. 

After retiring from the last engagement of the day previous, I 
had ordered the men to load their pieces which had been discharged, 
and the unexpected rain of the previous night had wet the loads, so 
that many of them could not be fired. I had not a ball screw in 
the regiment, and could not extract them. Owing to these circum- 
stances, my men were exceedingly dispirited, though they obeyed 
every order, and the most of them did the best they could. After 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 255 

engaging the enemy twice, I reported the condition of ray men and 
arms to Gen. Withers, who ordered me to retire with them, and 
remove the impediments of the gmis as best I could. I ordered the 
guns unbreeched and cleaned, which was promptly done, and I 
reported for orders. By this time, however, the firing had ceased 
along the whole line, or nearly so, and our forces were being with- 
drawn. I was ordered into a line of battle fronting the enemy's 
camp, where I remained until the troops moved towards Corinth, 
and was among the regiments that brought up the rear of the 
column. 

The commissioned officers of my regiment, with two or three 
exceptions, behaved themselves in a manner worthy of themselves 
and the glorious cause which they defended. The non-commissioned 
officers and jjrivates of the regiment, with an exception of a number 
for whose whereabouts I am not able to account, fought bravely to 
the last. 

We went into the action of the 6th with 440 men. 

Enclosed document A reports the number of killed and wounded. 

Enclosed document B reports the number of guns lost and taken, 
"with the circumstances attending. 

WM. D. CHAD WICK, 
Lieut.- Col. commanding IQth Alaham,a regiment. 



Report of the Action of the Second Brigade, Brigadier- 
gen. James H. Chalmers, commanding. 

Head-quakters, Second Brigade, Second Corps, 
Army of the Mississippi, 

Corinth, Mississippi, April 12, 1862. 

Captain: — I respectfully submit the following report of the 
action of the troops under my command, in the late engagement 
with the enemy near Pittsburgh, on the Tennessee river : 

On the morning of the 4th instant, while in command of the 
advanced forces, at Monterey, Tennessee, I received orders to hold 
my command ready to march. at a moment's notice; and, on the 
morning of the 5th, we crossed Lick creek, and moved as far as 
Meckey's, on what is known as the Bark road, leading from the 
direction of Corinth to the Tennessee river. In obedience to orders, 



256 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLEb. 

my brigade was under arms and ready to march at two o'clock or 
the following morning, and stood from that time until daylight, in a 
haid drenching rain, as the orders to march had been counter- 
manded, on account of the darkness and extreme bad weather. At 
dawn, the first brigade of this division, under the command of Brig.- 
gen. Gladden, filed past me, and we, falling into its rear,- moved 
forward until our march was arrested by the column of Major-gen. 
Hardee, the rear of Avhich had not got in motion when we reached 
its encampment. After some delay, we moved on to a position 
about two miles in front of the enemy's line. On reaching the 
ground, I found our line of battle deployed, and Gen. Glad- 
den's brigade, wiftch it was at first intended should be held in 
reserve in the second line on my right, was deployed into line of 
battle and thrown forward into the first line of battle, on the right 
of ^lajor-gen. Hardee's command, to fill the interval between his 
right and Lick creek ; and there being still another vacancy be- 
tween the right of Gen. Gladden's brigade and the creek, my 
brigade was extended in echelon in the rear of and to the I'ight of 
Gen. Gladden, and held in line by battalions at half distance doubled 
on the centre. Upon an examination of the country, it appeard to 
me that our progress would be much retarded if we attempted to 
move by battalion in double column on the centre, and ujion the 
suggestion being made to Brig.-gen. Withers and Major-gen. Bragg, 
it was ordered that the supporting line should move by the right 
of companies to the front. In this order we commenced the march 
early on the morning of the 6th. The space between Owl and Lick 
creeks was about a half mile narrower where we first deployed our 
line of battle than it was in front of the enemy's line, and as the 
space between Gen. Gladden's left and Lick creek increased as we 
advanced, it became necessary that my brigade should move up 
into the front line, on the right of Gen. Gladden, which was done, 
and being now in the front line, skirmishers from each regiment 
were at once thrown forward. In obedience to orders from Gen. 
Withers, the right of this brigade was advanced by a gradual left 
wheel, so that when we first encountered the enemy we were 
marching in a north-east direction, and met him in line of battle in 
front of his first encampment on our right. 

When we arrived in sight, our line of battle was formed, and the 
brigade moved steadily forward in the following order : The 10th 
Mississippi regiment, in command of Col. R. A. Smith on the right ; 
the 7th Mississippi regiment, Lieut.-col. H. Mayson, commanding, 
second ; the 9th Mississippi regiment, Lieut.-col. W. A. Rankin, third ; 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 257 

the 5th Mississippi, Col. A. E. Fant, fourth ; 52d Tennessee, Col. B. 
J. Lea, on the left, and Gage's battery, light artillery, in the rear. 
When within about one hundred and fifty yards of the enemy, the 
line was halted, and a heavy firing ensued, in which a number of 
our men were killed and wounded, and Col. Lea and Major Randle, 
of the 5 2d Tennessee regiment, lost their horses. After several 
rounds were discharged, the order to charge bayonets was given, 
and the 10th Mississippi regiment, about three hundred and sixty 
strong, led by its gallant colonel, dashed up the hill, and put to 
flight the 18th Wisconsin regiment, numbering nearly a thousand 
men. The order to charge having been given from the right flank, 
where I was then stationed, was not heard down the line, and, con- 
sequently, the 10th Mississippi moved alone in the first charge, 
though it was quickly followed by the 9th and 7th Mississippi, 
when the whole line of the enemy broke and fled, pursued by these 
three regiments, through their camps and across a ravine, about a 
half a mile, to the opposite hill, where they were halted by com- 
mand of Gen. Johnson. The 5th Mississippi and 52d Tennessee, 
having been left behind in the charge, were moved up to their 
positions, and the 5th Mississippi was now placed next to the 10th 
Mississippi. The enemy was reinforced, and drew up in our front, 
supported by a battery of artillery and some cavalry. We were 
about to engage them again, when we were ordered by Gen. Johns- 
ton to fall back, which was done. The enemy supposing that we 
were in retreat, fired several volleys of musketry at us, whereupon, 
we faced about, returned their fire, and they ceased firing. Being 
commanded to remain here until we should receive further orders, 
we rested about half an hour, when a guide, Mr, Lafayette Veal, 
was sent to conduct us still further to the right, where we learned 
that the enemy were attempting to turn our flank. Moving by the 
right flank, we filed to the right, directly south, until we recrossed 
the ravine behind us, and when we reached the summit of the op- 
posite hill we moved in a south-east direction, until our right rested 
upon the edge of Lick creek bottom. Here, again, we were ordered 
to rest, which we did for some half hour. When we a'gain started 
forward, a few skirmishers of the enemy, having secretly advanced 
close to our left, fired upon the 52d Tennessee regiment, which 
broke and fled in most shameful confusion. After repeated efibrts 
to rally it, this regiment was ordered out of the lines, where it 
remained during the balance of the engagement, with the excep- 
tion of two companies, Capts. J. A. Russell and A. A. Wilson, 
who, with their commands, fought gallantly in the ranks of the 5th 

17 



258 OFFICIAL RKP0KT8 OF BATTLES. 

Mississi])pi regiment. When the orders were received from Gen. 
Withers to move on, skirmishers were thrown out in front of the 
whole hrie, and placed in command of Major F. E. Whitfield, of the 
01 h IMissi.sHip})i ret^jiment, who led them with great coolness and 
with marked ability and skill. Our orders were to swing around, 
with our right resting on the creek bottom, and to drive the enemy 
before us towards Pittsburgh, and we accordingly moved forward, 
advancing most ra})idly on the right, and gradually wheeling the 
whole line. 

Ill this order we were marching, when our skirmishers developed 
the enemy concealed behind a fence, in thick undergrowth, with an 
open field or orchard in his front. The width of this orchard was 
about 350 or 400 yards, and behind it was a very steep and per- 
fectly abi'upt hill, at the foot of which ran a small branch. At the 
base of this hill ran the Hamburg and I'ittsburg road, skirting 
the orchard at its base, and then turning to the right, running 
along side of it, the orchard running to the right of the road. The 
giouiid iVoni the branch to the fence, where the enemy was con- 
cealed, was a gradual ascent, and our line was in full view of the 
enemy from the time it crossed the stream. 

The 9th Mississippi was now on the left, and there was a space 
of about thirty yards between its left and the Hamburg and Pitts- 
bvu'g road. As soon as I discovered the position of the enemy, I 
ordered up Gage's battery, which, until now, had not been engaged, 
and put it in jwsition on the hill above the branch. My line moved 
on across the oi'chai'd in most splendid style and perfect order, and, 
to my great surprise, not a shot was fired until we came within 
about Ibrty yards of the fence. Then a heavy fire was oi)ened on 
us in front, and at the same time a colunm was seen coming, at 
double-quick, down the Hamburg and Pittsbui-g road, with the evi- 
dent intention of getting in our rear and cutting otF the whole bri- 
gade. As soon as this colunm was fairly in sight, coming over the 
opposite hill. Gage's battery opened a well-directed fire on its head, 
and it was scattered in confusion, and at the same moment our 
infantry made a charge in front, and, after a hard fight, drove the 
enemy from his concealment, though we suftered heavily in killed 
and wounded. 

After this light, our ammunition was exhausted, and the wagons be- 
ing some distance behind, we lost some time before it was replenished. 
As soon, however, as the ammunition could be distributed, we moved 
on, with the right resting on the edge of the Tennessee river bottom, 
with the same orders as before. When we had gone about a quar- 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 250 

ter of a mllo, wo ajj^uin ciicouriUn-od tlio crmrny, in a vory Htron^ 
position on a liill, with a (l('0|) ravirui in liis front,, and a very sliil)- 
})orn liglit ensued, in wliioh wo loHt many <^allant men, amon<^ llieiri 
the Rev. M. L. Woller, Chaplain of tho 9tl» MisHisHijjpi regiment — 
a pure man, an ard(!nt patriot, and a true; (MiriHliafi — and (-apts. K. 
J. ArmHtroiiL? and L. (J. K. IJoHtiek, oCtho r>(,li Mississippi regiment, 
who fell gallantly loading on their r(!Hi)(!etivo eotnitani(!.s. JToro 
again Gage's battery did good Horvice, though it was some tiino 
before it could bo brought into position, owing to the rough nature 
of tho ground, and the want of roads; and T hero take oc-ojision to 
say, that I camiot speak too highly of th(! eiu^rgy, skill, and labor 
dis|tlayed by the men of this battciry throughout the day, in cutting 
their way throiigli a thicikly wooded country, over ravines and hills 
almost impassable to ordinary wagons. After about an hour's hard 
fighting, th(! (!nemy again retreat(Ml, leaving many of his d(!ad on 
the field. 

About this time, the gimboats from tho river began to throw their 
shells amongst us, and wo pressed rapidly forward in line of ]>attlo 
towards the centre, where tho battle seemed to be raging fiorcely. 
We were soon mot by an ofTitusr, stating that ho br'h)nged to Gen. 
Crittenden's staff, and that he had been hotly eng:ig(Ml with tho 
enemy, and needed assistance. As near as I could jndge of tho posi- 
tion of affairs, our troops wore then in a line of battle running from 
south to north, and facing oast or a little north of east. My lino 
was running from east to west, and facing north. Moving at a 
double-quick over several ravines and hills, wo came upon tho 
enemy, and attacked him on his flank. This was the fourth fight 
in which my brigade had boon engaged during tho day, and after a 
severe firing of some din-ation, finding the enemy stubbornly resist- 
ing, I rode back for G(!n. .lackson's brigade, which was lying down 
for reserve in my rear and to my left. I did not see Gon... Jackson, 
but finding Col. Wheeler, called upon him to take up tho fight, 
which he did with promptness and vigor. I sent a staff officer to 
command my brigade to lie down and rest until they roceiv(!d fur- 
ther ord(TS, and tlujn followed up Gen. .fackson's brigade myself, 
until I came upon Major-gen. Jinigg, commanding in the thickest 
of the fight,'to whom I reported ray action. I had been there but 
a few moments, however, when some of our troops were driven 
back in confusion, and dan. Hragg called out to "bring up Chal- 
mer's briga<]e." 

I rode back immediately to where I had ordered my men to 
halt, and found that they had not understood the orders, and had 



260 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

pressed on after the retreating foe. Riding rapidly after them, 
I reached them just after the enemy had raised the white flag, and 
a number of the enemy had surrendered to the 9th Mississippi, 
which was then some distance in advance of the other Confederate 
troops. 

Col. Shaw, of the 14th Iowa regiment, and a senior Captain, 
commanding some companies of the 28th Illinois regiment, surren- 
dered to Major F. E. Whitfield, and the Col. of the 18th Missouri, 
with a portion of his command, surrendered to Lieut. Donald Mc- 
Kenzie, company K, 9th Mississippi regiment. 

About a quarter of an hour after the surrender, some of our 
troops, supposed to be of Gen. Polk's division, made their appear- 
ance on the opposite side of the surrendered camps, and were with 
great difficulty prevented from firing upon the prisoners. The 
cavalry very soon arrived, and the prisoners were turned over to 
them, and were carried to the rear. It was then about four o'clock 
in the evening, and after distributing ammunition, we received 
orders from Gen. Bragg to drive the enemy into the river. My 
brigade, together with that of Brig.-gen. Jackson, filed to the right, 
and formed facing the river, and endeavored to press forward to 
the water's edge, but, in attempting to mount the last ridge, we 
were met by a fire from a whole line of batteries, protected by 
infantry, and assisted by shells from the gunboats. Our men strug- 
gled vainly to ascend the hjll, which was very steep, making charge 
after charge without success, but continued the fight until night 
closed the hostilities on both sides. 

During this engagement, Gage's battery was brought up to our 
assistance, but sufiered so severely that it was soon compelled to 
retire. This was the sixth fight in which we had been engaged 
during the day, and my men were too much exhausted to storm 
the batteries on the hill ; but they were brought off in good order, 
formed in line of battle, and slept on the battle-field, where I 
remained with them. 

Early on the following morning I received notice that the enemy 
was advancing, and was ordered by Gen. Withers to fall back about 
a half mile, and form on the right of Gen. Jackson's brigade, and 
follow him over to the left, where it was supposed the fight would 
be. We fell back and waited for Gen. Jackson to file past to the 
left, intending to follow him as directed, but before we could get 
away the enemy came charging rapidly upon us, and the fight of 
the second day commenced. We waited quietly until the enemy 
advanced within easy range, when we opened fire upon him and he 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 261 

fled. We then attempted to move by the left flank, so as to follow 
Gen. Jackson, when we were again attacked, and a fight of about 
one hour and a half ensued, from which we retired, after having 
exhausted our ammunition. During this engagement Major F, E. 
Whitfield was severely wounded in the hip, and brought to the 
rear 

Our ammunition wagons not being at hand, we fell back to the 
first camp that we had taken from the enemy, where we found au 
abundant supply of the appropriate calibre. I sent a stafi-officer to 
Gen. Withers, about an hour before for assistance, and reinforce- 
ments now arrived, under my gallant commander (Brig.-gen. With- 
ers), who, it gives me pleasure to testify, was always found at the 
right place, at the right time, guiding and supporting whatever 
portion of his division needed assistance, I formed the reinforce- 
ments, consisting of the Crescent regiment, Louisiana volunteers, 
a Tennessee regiment, under Lieut.-col. Venable, and an Alabama 
regiment, Lieut.-col. Chadwick, into line, and moved them forward 
to meet the enemy, after having turned over the command of my 
own brigade to Col. R. A. Smith, of the 10th Mississippi regiment, ' 
with instructions to hold himself a thousand yards in the rear, in 
reserve. The reinforcements skirmished awhile with the enemy, 
but when the first serious charge was made upon them, they broke, 
and Col. Smith was compelled to bring my brigade again to the 
front. The fight raged fiercely for some time, and my men were 
compelled to retire in some confusion, being overwhelmed by the 
superior number of the enemy. After retreating about three hun- 
dred yards, they were rallied and drawn up in line at the foot of 
a hill. The enemy pursued slowly, until he came within range of 
our fire, when he was boldly met, and, in turn, driven back until 
we had again occupied the ground we had previously left. Here 
the enemy was reinforced and the fight renewed, and we were 
gradually being driven back down the hill again, when Col. Preston 
Smith arrived, with the 154th regiment Tennessee volunteers and 
Blythe's Mississippi volunteers, who came gallantly to our assistance 
and took position on our right. Believing that one bold charge 
might change the fortunes of the day, I called upon my brigade to 
make one more eflTort, but they seemed too much exhausted to 
make the attempt, and no appeal seemed to rouse them. As a 
last resort, I seized the battle flag from the color-bearer of the 9th 
Mississippi regiment, and called on them to follow. With a wild 
shout the whole brigade rallied to the charge, and we drove the 
enemy back and re-occupied our first position of the morning, which 



262 OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLES. 

we held until the ordei' to retreat was received, when we fell back 
in good order, the enemy not daring to pursue. Col. Wheeler, of 
the 19th Alabama regiment volunteers, was with a small remnant 
of his regiment at this time fighting with a small remnant of the 
Mississippians, on foot himself, and bearing the colors of his com- 
mand. In this last charge, so gallantly made, the 9th Mississippi 
sustained a heavy loss in the fall of her brave commander, Lieut.- 
col. Wm. A. Kankin, who fell mortally wounded, after having led 
his men fearlessly throughout the whole of the first and second day. 
Most of my command behaved well. Col. R, A. Smith, of the 10th 
Mississippi regiment, was particularly distinguished for his bold dar- 
ing, and his clarion voice could be heard above the din of battle, 
cheering on his men. Major F. E. Whitfield, of the 9th Mississippi 
regiment, led the skirmishers during Sunday, and deservesgreat credit 
for his courage and coolness. He was wounded in the hip early on 
Monday morning, and taken from the field. Col. Fant and Major 
Stennis, of the 5 th Mississippi regiment, and Lieut.-col. May son, 
commanding the Yth Mississippi, were all conspicuous in the thickest 
of the fight. All the Mississippians, both oflicers and men, with a few 
exceptions elsewhere reported, behaved well. The 52d Tennessee 
(except two companies, under Capts. J. A. Russell and A. IST. Wil- 
son, who fought with the 5th Mississippi,) behaved badly. Gage's 
battery did manful service on the 6th, but on the 7th was not in 
the fight. I cannot conclude without mentioning the signal service 
rendered me by the gentlemen of my stafi". To Capt. Henry Craft, 
Assistant Adj.-gen., I am greatly indebted for the order and system 
established in a new brigade, composed very largely of troops 
never before placed in brigade, and having but little knowledge 
of their respective duties. On the field he rendered all the service 
required of him, and had his horse slightly wounded when bearing 
an order. First Lieut. Geo. T. Banks, aid-de-carap, was always at 
his post, and in a most fearless manner discharged all the duties of 
his hazardous position. First Lieut. W. T. Stricklin, Adjutant of 
the 3d Mississippi regiment, who made his escape from Fort Donel- 
son after its surrender, being ordered to report to me for duty, was 
placed on my staff as Acting-Inspector-gen., and bore himself gal- 
lantly during the fight. Capt. B. S. Crump, A. C. S., Capt. Jas. 
Barr, and Lieut. M. M. Shelley, both of the late 10th Mississippi 
regiment, rendered me efiicient service as volunteer aids. Wm. A. 
Rains, Sergeant-major, and Fleming Thompson, private in company 
" K," both of the 9th Mississippi regiment, two brave Mississippi 
boys of but 17 years of age, accompanied me on horseback, and in 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 2^63 

the absence of staff-officers bore orders under the heaviest of the 
fire. Sergeant-major Rains deserves especial notice for liaving car- 
ried an order with promptness and decision, on Sunday evening, 
when we were attacking the batteries, under the heaviest fire that 
occurred during the whole engagement. I must also acknowledge 
the valuable assistance rendered by our guide, Mr. Lafayette Veal, 
of McNairy county, Tenn., who remained with us closely, and was 
ever i-eady to give any information and aid in his power. Without 
him our movements would have been comparatively in the dark, 
and much retarded, whilst with his guidance we were enabled to 
move rapidly towards our desired end. Col. Clanton's 1st regiment 
of Alabama cavalry held themselves on our right, to support us, 
and though they rendered no especial service, their presence may 
have protected our flank from an attack, and I cannot conclude 
without mentioning Col. Clanton himself, who remained almost all 
the time with my brigade, and though constantly exposed to the 
most dangerous fire, exhibited the most fearless and exemplary 
courage, cheering on those who seemed inclined to falter or grow 
weary, and with a detachment of his cavalry suiDplying us with 
ammunition when our wagons could not reach us. It is impossible 
to say with accuracy how many prisoners we took, as they were 
turned over to the cavalry as fast as they surrendered, singly and 
in squads, and once in a large body, without being counted. The 
number cannot fall short of sixteen hundred. We went into the 
fight two thousand and thirty-nine (2,039) stj-ong; of these, about 
four hundred were of the 52d Tennessee regiment, three hundred 
of whom were not engaged in the fight, leaving us only seventeen 
hundred and thirty-nine (1Y39) men. Of these we had eighty-two 
(82) killed, and three hundred and forty-three (343) w^ounded, a 
return of which has been heretofore made, giving the names of the 
killed and wounded, and the character of the wounds. 
I have the honor to be, 

Very respectfully, captain, 

Your obedient servant, 

JAS. R. CHALMERS, 
brigadier General^ corn'g. 2d Brigade^ 

Withers' Division, 2d Corps^ 
Army of the Mississippi. 



264 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 



Report of Brig.-gen. John K. Jackson, commanding 
Third Brigade, Withers' Division. 

Head-quartbrs Third Brigade, 
Withers' Division, Second Army Corps, A. M., 

Corinth, Miss., April 26tb, 1862. 
Capt. D. E. IIuGER, 

A. A. General: 

Captain: — I have the honor to report, that after a fatiguing 
march, and great exposure to bad weather, the 3d brigade of With- 
ers' division, second army corps, army of Mississippi, arrived at the 
place of rendezvous near the battle field of Shiloh, at about 12 
o'clock, on Saturday, 5th April, inst. The brigade was composed of 
the 2d Texas regiment of infantry, Col. J. C. Moore; the 19th Ala- 
bama regiment. Col. Joseph Wheeler; the 18th Alabama regiment, 
Col. 'Eli S. Shorter; the IVth Alabama regiment, Lieut.-col. K. C. 
Favis, and Capt. J. P. Girardey's battery of light artillery, in the 
aggregate, 2208. The brigade was ordered to take position in the 
second line on the left of Gen. Chalmers' brigade, whose right rested 
on Lick creek swamp. 

The regiments were first drawn up in line of battle, in the order to 
form right to left, in which they are above named, with the battery 
on the extreme left. The infantry were then broken by the right 
of companies to the front, and ordered to hold themselves in readi- 
ness to move at a moment's notice. My brigade remained in this 
position during the remainder of Saturday, and thus bivouacked on 
Saturday night. 

On Sunday morning, 6th, the order was given for an advance. 
The infontry and artillery commenced the movement about day- 
light, moving by right of companies to the front, through the forest, 
with a view to a rapid formation at any moment, by comj)any into 
line. The order received and extended was, that the second line 
should follow up the advance of the first line at the distance of about 
1000 yards in its rear, and support it aS occa?;ion required; at the 
same time, bearing oft' well to the right, and resting upon the left 
of Gen. Chalmers' brigade, gradually swee[)ing round by a pro- 
tracted wheel of the whole line to the letl. The march being rapid, 
by the eagerness of the men to press upon the enemy, which they 
were urged to do fiercely and furiously. I found that the first line 



OFFICIAL EEP0ET3 OF BATTLES. 265 

was soon warmly engaged ; that solid shot and shells from a battery 
of the enemy, passing over the first line, and occasionally wounding 
one of my men. Advancing rapidly, I found that the engagement 
was between Gen, Gladden's brigade and the enemy, and that the 
latter had been driven from their camps. Following on, I came up 
with Gen. Gladden's brigade, just beyond this camp, formed in 
squares. Just here, heavy firing was heard to the left, and, by order 
of Gen. Johnston, my brigade was moved in that direction, by the 
left flank, up a ravine. Before proceeding far, another order was 
received to change direction and move to the right, as the enemy 
were deployed there. During this time, Capt. Girardey used his 
battery, with effect, upon a battery of the enemy, which was play- 
ing on us from the brow of the hill opposite. 

Moving off, perhaps half a mile to the right, I took position again 
on the left of Gen. Chalmers'. A camp of the enemy being just op- 
posite to my centre, and separated from it by a deep and almost 
impassable ravine. The enemy was drawn up in line at the edge of 
the wood, which skirted his camp. Throwing forward two com- 
panies deployed as skirmishers, a sharp fire was provoked from the 
enemy, and returned with spirit. Girardey's battery was placed in 
position, on the edge of the hill overlooking the enemy and his 
camp. By a well-directed fire of shells and solid shot, he caused 
the enemy to waver, and the infantry who had advanced to the 
bottom of the ravine, were ordered to charge. They did this with 
a cheer ; the enemy fell back, and the camp was ours. The enemy 
formed again in the skirt of wood on the opposite side of their camp 
ground, and poured a hot fire into my line. Ordered to advance, 
they did so at a double-quick, charged through the camp, and again 
drove the enemy from his position, who rallied on the next ridge, 
prepared to meet us, as we ascended from an almost impassable 
ravine and morass, by wOiich we were separated from them. Plant- 
ing sections of Capt. Girardey's battery in favorable position, I di- 
rected him to open fire upon the enemy. This order was promptly 
executed, and, after a spirited cannonade, well responded to, the 
enemy began to waver, and the infantry again charged with a like 
Buccessful result. 

At this point, Gen. Breckinridge rode up, and requested me to 
come to his relief. Upon inquiring of him, I learned that the point 
at which he required relief was in the direction of my advance, ac- 
cording to Gen. Withers' orders. I assured Gen. Breckinridge that 
I would be there as soon as the enemy, who continued to oppose me 
with a stubborn resistance, could be driven before me. For a mile 



266 OFFICIAIi REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

and a half or more, this fighting was uninterrupted, save when the 
enemy were retiring to reform. By this time, gradually swinging 
or wheeling round, my brigade was moving towards the front, oc- 
cupied at daylight in the moraing, having completely outflanked 
the enemy, and driving him back without pause. Drawn up now 
behind the rails of a worm fence on 'the opposite side of a field, he 
hoped to stay our progress by a murderous fire, as my men crossed 
the open space. But the effect was fruitless of the desired result, 
and our advance was unchecked. The engagement in the wood be- 
yond the field was the hottest of the day, and while progressing, 
Gen. Chalmers rode up to me, and informed me that he had turned 
over that fight to my brigade, and that his was resting. One of 
my regiments, returning for want of ammunition, M-as rallied, and 
sent back into the contest, with orders to use the bayonet. Im- 
mediately afterwards. Gen. Gladden's brigade was ordered to my 
support, but before becoming actively engaged, the enemy displayed 
a white flag. An ofiicer of the Texas regiment was sent to receive 
the surrender, which he did, along with several of the swords of the 
officers. 

Cavalry being sent around to our right, took charge of the prison- 
ers (about 1500 in number) and carried them to the rear. Col. 
Shorter, with his regiment, was ordered to carry these prisoners to 
Corinth, which was done. My brigade was ordered to change di- 
rectfon again, face towards Pittsburg, when the enemy appeared to 
have made his last stand, and to advance upon him. Gen. Chal- 
mers' brigade being again on my right and extending to the swamp 
of the Tennessee river. Without ammunition, and with only their 
bayonets to rely on, steadily my men advanced, under a heavy fire 
from light batteries, siege pieces, and gunboats. Passing through 
the ravine, they arrived near the crest of the opjjosite hill, 
upon Avhich the enemy's batteries were ; but could not be urged 
further without support. Sheltering themselves against the precipi- 
tous sides of the ravine, they remained under this fire for some 
time. Finding an advance, without support, impracticable, remain- 
ing there under fire useless, and believing that any further foi'ward 
movement should be made simultaneously along our whole line, I 
proceeded to obtain orders from Gen. Withers ; but before seeing 
him, was ordered by -a staff officer to retire. This order was an- 
nounced to me as coming from Gen. Beauregard, and was promptly 
communicated to my command. 

In the darkness of the night, which had then fallen upon us, my 
regiments became separated from each other. Col. Favis, with the 



OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. ' 267 

17th Alabama, falling back to the line occupied by us in the morn- 
ing. Col. Moore, with the Texas, and Col. Wheeler, with the 19th 
Alabama, taking a different position, and the battery, with which I 
remained, falling back to Shiloh Church. Col. Shorter, with the 
1 8th Alabama, had taken the prisoners to Corinth. Thus closed 
Sunday, 6th April, upon my brigade. 

On Monday morning, my battery was early sent into action, but 
as I saw no more of it until after the order to retire, I refer to the 
accompanying report of the Capt., Girardey. So, also as to the 
regiments, I refer to the reports of their respective commanders. 

Finding myself without a command, after diligent search for 
them, I was requested by some staff officer, not now recollected, to 
take command of three new regiments near the road below Shiloh 
Church, to rally all stragglers upon them, and be ready to move up 
at any moment. This was done as far as possible, it being very 
difficult to make men reform, after they have lost their pride suffi- 
ciently to obtain their consent to fly. Two lines, at different points, 
were thus formed, but never required for action, as the enemy did 
not pursue. Returning, I found Col. Favis' 17th Alabama, com- 
manded by Gen. Breckinridge, and used by him to stop stragglers, 
and form another line at the place of our halt on Saturday, Passing 
on to Monterey, where I consulted with Gen. Chalmers as to the 
disposition of some prisoners and as to his remaining there. I arrived 
at Corinth at 11 1-2 p. m., Monday night. * 

One stand of colors captured by Col. Wheeler's 19th Alabama, 
two by Lieut.-col. Favis, 1 7th Alabama, and three by Capt. Girar- 
dey's company, have been returned. 

Where all the officers of my command, with a few rare excep- 
tions, conducted themselves so well, I could not mention any par- 
ticularly without doing the injustice of silence to others. To the 
officers of my staff, I am indebted for their courage, accuracy, and 
activity. 

I am, captain, your obedient sei*vant, 

JOHN K. JACKSON, 
JBrig.-gen.^ convnxanding Sd JBrigade, 
Withers* Division, 2d Army Corps, A. M. 



268 OFFICIAL KEP0ET8 OF BATTLES. 

Report of Col. John C. Moore, of the Second Regiment 
Texas infantry, in action of the 6th of April, 

Head-quarters 2d Regiment, Texas Infantry, 

Camp near Corinth, Miss., April 19th, 1862. 

Capt. J. B. CUMMINGS, 

A. A. General^ Zd Brigade^ Withers^ Division: 
Sir : — I have the honor to make the following report of the part 
taken by the 2d regiment Texas infantry, in the battle of Shiloh, on 
the 6 th instant. 

In justice to my regiment, permit me to say that no other regi- 
ment entered the fight on that day under more unfavorable circum- 
stances than the 2d Texas. Leaving Houston, Texas, on the 12th 
March, we arrived here on the 1st April, after a long and exhaust- 
ing march. Remaining in camp but one day, we left on the 3d for the 
field of Shiloh. Not having received the provisions ordered for the 
regiment, we left with a short two and a half days' rations. By 
Saturday morning our provisions were all exhausted, yet the men 
moved forward with light hearts and buoyant spirits without a mur- 
mur of complaint. By this time many who had left camp with 
worn out shoes became totally barefooted, and many of the men, as 
well as some of the officers, returned to camp, after the battle, in 
thfeir bare feet. 

Early on the morning of the 6th, while the regiment acted as a 
support to Gen. Hardee's division, we lost one man killed, and two 
or three wounded. At about half-past 8 o'clock we moved to the 
right, and took position in the front line of battle, on the left of 
Gen. Chalmers' brigade. This brought us near a small stream, 
which I was told was known as Lick creek. Soon after we took 
position, the enemy deployed as skirmishers, opened fire on our line, 
wounding two or three of our men, and also mortally wounding 
Capt. Brooks, who was carried to the rear, and died on the 8th. 
The enemy being concealed behind trees and logs, Capt. Smith was 
ordered to deploy his company as skirmishers, cover our front, and 
ascertain the exact position of the enemy ; at the same time Capt. 
Girardey's battery was thrown forward, and by firing into the 
woods, seemed to disperse the enemy's forces. Being now ordered 
to advance, we proceeded some two or three hundred yards to the 
brow of a hill, where the enemy appeared in considerable force, 
within range of our guns, but on the opposite side of a narrow bot- 
tom of low land. Opening fire, we advanced to the foot of the hill, 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 269 

when we gave the command " double-quick," which being done, 
the right of the regiment passing through an open field under a fire, 
we reached the brow of the opposite hill and halted. We were 
now near the enemy's camp, and under the fire of a large force, at 
a short distance in front, sheltering themselves in houses, which 
were in front of their camp. Seeing the right of our regiment suf- 
fering severely, and the advantage of the enemy in their sheltered 
position, we again gave the order " charge," which was well done, 
driving the enemy before us from their camps, killing and wounding 
a considerable number, and taking six prisoners. On reaching the 
road, passing though the encampment, we were fired on by a large 
force to our right, from behind or through openings, from a collec- 
tion of farm houses. As the enemy seemed intending to turn our 
right flank, we fell back some fifty yards, protected from their fire 
by rising ground in front. Here we changed direction to the right, 
and again charged the enemy, driving them from the houses across 
a ravine and over the opposite hill. On reaching the ravine we 
halted ; Capt. Girardey's battery having opened a fire from the hill 
in our reai', the shots passing over our heads. While in this po- 
sition, Gen. Chalmers' forces were engaging the enemy on our right. 
They were exposed to a galling fire from a large force, and though 
fighting hke heroes, seemed at last to be giving back, and Cajjt. 
Girardey's battery sufiering severely at the same time, Adj. Man- 
gum (a brave and efiicient ofticer,) was ordered to request the bat- 
tery to cease firing, that we might advance to the assistance of the 
Mississippians, without being exposed to the fire of our own guns. 
The space between the right of Col. Wheeler's regiment and the 
left of Gen. Chalmers' brigade being suflicient for a line of only 
three companies, we ordered forward Capts. Smith, McGinnis, and 
Christian, with their companies. They advanced at a double-quick, 
and after a short but severe engagement routed the enemy, being 
supported by the other companies of the regiment close in the rear 
of the line. As we passed over the ground in fi-ont, the number of 
dead and wounded showed that our balls had done fearful execution 
in the ranks of the enemy. 

The line being now reformed, after crossing a deep ravine, we 
were ordered to sweep around by a slow wheel to the westward, 
and proceed to where we now heard a heavy fire of artillery and 
musketry. After proceeding in the direction for perhaps half a 
mile, we came ujd to a force covering our entire front, and to the 
right and left as far as we could see .through the woods. In this 
position, the right of our regiment rested in a deep ravine, the left 



270 OFFICILL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

on a high hill, exposed to a very heavy fire, which passed over or 
throiigli the ranks of our friends in front. Here we halted and or- 
dered the men to lie down, but remained in this position but a few 
minutes, amidst a perfect shower of balls, wounding several of the 
men, though prostrate on the ground. The left wing being now 
thrown into some confusion under a fire which they could not re- 
turn, it fell back some fifty yai-ds and reformed. The command 
" forward," was given immediately, and on coming up again to the 
first position it was found that the right wing had advanced as the 
left fell back. Being but a short distance in the rear, the left ad- 
vanced at double-quick and soon joined the other, in certainly one 
of the most brilliant actions of the day. We think we may be per- 
mitted to say that the regiment had already done noble work, yet 
this last and closing action of the day may be remembered with 
pride by the officers and men of the 2d Texas infantiy. They 
charged the camp with a shout, in the face of the enemy's artillery 
and musketry, and though they met an obstinate resistance, they 
soon drove the enemy fi-om their encampment into the roads be- 
yond, taking some five or six prisoners on the ground. On reach- 
ing the north-western side of the encampment, where we were still 
engaging the enemy, a Federal officer (a Colonel) came dashing up 
near our lines, and cried out, " boys, for God's sake stop firing, you 
are killing your friendg !" The boys, not being deceived, ordered hira 
to halt as he dashed off; but, declining to accept the invitation, he 
soon fell dead with his horse. At this place our men also shot an 
officer who was driving off at a furious vate in a buggy. On being 
shot, he sprang to his feet, and fell backwards from his buggy. We 
now observed the enemy in full force, formed in line to the left and 
front of us, and suppposing from their position that it was their in- 
tention to try to turn our left flank and cut lis off from our forces 
on that side, the interval on the left being at that time very con- 
siderable, we fell back about one hundred yards to the left and 
rear, still keeping up a fire at long range. While the line was thus 
being formed, the cry " white flag" was raised, the command " cease 
firing" given, and in a few minutes an officer, unknown to us, rode 
up and said that a force of one thousand of the enemy wished to 
surrender to the Texas regiment. At this time a regiment of cav- 
alry passed between us and the prisoners, and before we could get 
further information on the subject, they were in the hands of other 
parties. This caused our men much regret, as they had just had an 
obstinate contest with these very men, and we feel certain it was 
their Colonel who was shot from his horse, as he rode directly from 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 271 

their position in approaching ours, Capt. Ashbel Smith was wound- 
ed severely in the arm at this camp. He had borne himself with 
great gallantry during the day, and we thus lost for the present the 
services of a brave and excellent officer. 

From this point we marched to the eastward, towards the Tennessee 
river. As we were about marching, a shell from the enemy fell and 
exploded in our ranks, mortally wounding two men of Capt. Orien's 
comjjany. After advancing about half a mile we came to a deep 
ravine, and found ourselves in front of a heavy battery of the enemy, 
at the distance of four or five hundred yards to our front. They 
opened on us a fire of shot and shell, which did but little damage, 
as the balls generally passed over our heads and across the ravine. 
After having kept np this fire for a considerable time, they then 
changed the position of some of their guns, placing them so as to 
bring on us a raking fire up the ravine from our right. Seeing this 
state of things, we made a rapid retreat from our unpleasant posi- 
tion, and proceeded back to the camp last taken, having been told 
that we would here receive further orders. It was dark when we 
reached the camp, and after waiting an hour or so, we bivouacked 
near the encampment, in a drenching rain. 

First Lieut. Dan Gallaher was sent to look for ammunition soon 
after we took this camp. He did not return, and is supposed to 
have been taken prisoner. After having passed the night in the 
rain, and having had our sleep occasionally disturbed by the burst- 
ing of a shell in our vicinity, we proceeded early the next morning 
about half a mile and joined Col. Wheeler's regiment. 

Here we received orders from Gen. Withers to march again to 
meet the enemy. After marching some two miles we halted near 
the enemy's lines, and having been placed in command of a brigade, 
we turned over that of the regiment to Lieut.-col. W. P. Rogers. 

Lieut.-col. Rogers and Major Runnels, of this regiment, did their 
duty nobly on the 6th, and we doubt not their coolness and courage 
attracted the attention of the general commanding. The company 
officers, so far as we could observe, with one exception'^Lieut. Foster, 
now under arrest), pei-formed their resjjective parts bravely, so 
much so, indeed, that it seems to me, if I should mention favorably 
only a portion of them, I would be doing injustice to the others. 
Accompanying this report, I have the honor to submit a list of the 
killed, wounded, and missing, on the 6th. This report is much 
longer than I intended it to be when I commenced, but I trust you 
will at least excuse this, perhaps its least fault. I am, captain. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

JOHN C. MOORE, Col. 2d regiment Texas Infantry. 



272 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

P. S. — I have omitted to state that at the last camp taken by our 
regiment, we captured two pieces of artillery, having shot the 
horses, and the cannoniers making their escape on foot. We were 
thus unable to bring them off the field. 

JOHN C. MOORE, 
Col. 2 c? regiment Texas Infantry, 



Report of Col. S. C. Moore, of the 2d regiment Texas 
Infantry, in the action of the 7th instant. 

Camp near Corinth, Miss., 

April 21, 1862. 
A. A. G.^ Withers^ Division : 

Sir : I have the honor to report that, on arriving near the enemy's 
lines on Monday, the 1th instant, I was placed, by Gen. Withers, 
in command of a brigade, composed of the 2d Texas, 19th and 21st 
Alabama. 

Up to this date I have received no reports from the commanders 
of regiments. Being only nominally in command of an irregular 
organization, reports of the action may have been made to other 
commanders. 

Before advancing, an officer and staff rocle up and inquired for 
Gen. Withers. The general not being present just then, the officer 
gave orders to throw forward two companies as skirmishers, cover 
our front, learn the position of the enemy, iand then fall back. On 
asking from whom I received this order, I was answered, " Gen. 
Hardee." The order was given, but before executed was counter- 
manded by the same authority. The brigade then moved forward 
under the personal direction of Gen. Hardee and staff, with a care- 
ful warning that Gen. Breckinridge was in our front engaging the 
enemy. 

After advancing some two hundred yards, a large force was seen 
in our fi-ont and to the right, but in a thick wood. This force was 
still believed to be our friends, and the caution again and again 
given not to fire, as they were Breckinridge's men. The left wing 
of the brigade passing through an open field was now considerably 
in advance of the right, which passed through a thicket of low small 
brushwood. We soon learned that a truly sad mistake had been 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 273 

made respecting the force in front ; for, permitting ns to come np 
near their lines, where they h.ad a deadly cross-fire on our left wing, 
still in an open field, the enemy, from the' shelter in the Avoods, now 
poured into the whole line a most murderous fire. So sudden was 
the shock, and so unexpected was the character of our supposed 
friends, that the whole line soon gave way from* right to left in utter 
confusion. The regiments became so scattered and mixed, that all 
efibrts to reform them became fruitless. Many of the officers, how- 
ever, succeeded in gathering squads, and joined other commands 
during the battle. 

I have included in my report of the 6th the entire number of 
killed, wounded, and missing of the 2d regiment Texas infanty. 
I am, sir, very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

JOHN C. MOORE, 
Col. 2d regiment Texas Volunteers. 



Special Report of Col. J: 0. Moore. 

Head-quarters Third Brigade, Withers' Division. 
Camp near Corinth, Miss., April 25, 1862. 
Capt. D. E. Huger, 

A. A. (x., Withers'* Division: 

Sir: — Having heard that the 2d regiment Texas infantry, of 
which I am proud to have the honor of being colonel, has been 
spoken of as having acted badly on the field of battle, on the morn- 
ing of the Vth inst., I feel it my duty, in justice to the regiment, to 
make the following " special report " for the information of the gen- 
eral commanding the 2d corps, army of the Mississippi. 

As stated in my former report, I was not in command of my reg- 
iment on that day ; having been placed by Gen. Withers in com- 
mand of a brigade, composed of the 19th and 21st Alabama, and. 
2d Texas. Having formed the brigade in line of battle as ordered, 
the 21st Alabama on the right, the 2d Texas in the centre, and the 
19th Alabama on the left, a general oflScer and staff rode up and 
inquired for Gen. Withers, who had just left our position. He or- 
dered me to throw forward skirmishers, cover our front, feel the 
position of the enemy, and then fall back. On asking from Avhom 

18 



274 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

I received the order, I was answered, " Gen. Hardee." The order 
was immediately given fgr deploying the skirmishers, but before it 
could be executed it was countermanded, and the brigade, except 
the 19tli Alabama, Avho acted as a support, advanced under the per- 
sonal direction of Gen. Hardee and staif, who generally gave orders 
directly, and not through myself as commander of the brigade, 

I beg permission to state here, that Gen. Bragg, who did me the 
honor to recommend me for promotion, perhaps feels (as I am told) 
some little doubt of the propriety of the recommendation, since 
hearing the remarks referred to at the beginning of this report. If, 
as commander of the brigade, I had taken upon myself the respon- 
sibility of advancing upon the enemy without first feeling his posi- 
tion with skirmishers, then I might justly be held responsible for 
the result. But such was not the case. 

Before the advance was ordered, we were told that the brigade 
was to act as a support to Gen. Breckinridge, who Avas engaging 
the enemy in front, and while advancing, we were warned again 
and again, by one or more staff ofiicei's, not to fire on our friends in 
front. The greater part of the 2d Texas passed over an open field, 
and the enemy allowed them to approach near their lines before 
firing. Even after the enemy opened fire, the ofiicers of the 2d 
Texas report the order was still given not to fire on our friends, 
and in one instance, after a private returned the fire of the enemy, 
a staff ofiicer rode up and drew his pistol, threatening to " blow off 
the man's head if he fired again." Major Runnels reports, that 
while the order not to fire was being repeated to the regiment, he 
saw that the force in front were not friends, and ordered the men to 
fire and charge them ; but just at that time a most galling fire was 
poured into the regiment, and the cry " fall back," being heard in a 
voice unfamiliar to him, he countermanded the order, but it was too 
late to be effective. The men fell back in great confusion, with the 
Tesult detailed in my former report. I doubt not that our foilure 
to drive back the enemy at this time and place, may be attributed 
Avholly to the mistake regarding the character of the force in front, 
the multiplicity of the commands, and the consequent confusion of 
the men, not knowing whom to obey. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

JOHN C. MOORE, 
Colonel 2d Texas, commanding Brigade. 



"OFFPCIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 275 



Report of Col. Joseph Wheeler. 

Head-quarters 19th Regiment Alabama Volunteers, 
Camp three miles from the Field op Shiloh, 

April 12th, 1862, 
To Capt. Joseph B. Cumming, 

AssisUmt A<lj.-gen. Third Brigade^ Withers* Division: 
Captain : — In compliance with General Order No. — , from head- 
quarters of this army, I have the honor to state that on the morn- 
ing of the 6th instant, the 19th regiment Alabama volunteers 
formed a part of Gen. Jackson's brigade, the second fi-om the right 
of the second line of battle. When the first line opened the en- 
gagement, a few of our men were wounded by the scattering shots 
of the enemy. We were then ordered forward, and entered the 
most advanced Federal camps behind the first line. We were then 
directed to move about a mile to the right and front, where we 
formed in first line 'of battle, in which we continued during the re- 
mainder of the day. Gen. A. S. Johnston ordered the regiment, 
with his own lips, to charge the camps of the 59th Illinois regiment, 
to do which it was necessary to pass down a deep ravine, and 
mount a steep hill on the other side. This duty was performed by 
the regiment under a heavy fire from a screened foe, with rapidity, 
regularity, and cool gallantry. But little resistance was offered 
after reaching the camps, as the enemy fled before us to the crest of 
another ravine back of, and about two hundred yards from, their 
camp. After forming line in the face of the enemy, we were ordered 
to lie down while the artillery was placed in position to our rear, 
and fired over our heads sufficiently to shake their line. The regi- 
ment then moved forward rapidly, driving the enemy before it, and 
dislodging him from every place he attempted to make a stand, 
taking several prisonei's, and killing and wounding large numbers. 
It was now about three o'clock in the afternoon. The regiment 
had been marching and fighting since half past six a. m,, had 
been through three of the enemy's camps, and in three distinct 
engagements. The enemy being now driven from all their positions 
on our right, we wei-e ordered to march to the left and centre, to 
where a heavy fire was going on. The regiment changed front, 
forward on the tenth company, and marched rapidly by the right of 
companies to the front, some one and a half or two miles in the 



276 OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF EATTLES. 

direction indicated, coming upon the left of Gen. Chalmers' brigade. 
The regiment, while marching through a burning wood, encounter- 
ed a heavy fire from the enemy, M^ho were drawn up in front of and 
to the right of a large camp, which fire the regiment returned with 
efl:ect, I was here met by Gen. Chalmers, who told me his brigade 
was worn out and overpowered by superior numbers, and said the 
troopa must move to his assistance. The .regiment then moved 
quickly to and in advance of his left, and dislodged the enemy 
from a strong position they had taken in large force, screened by a 
ridge and house. We advanced about two hundred yards, the 
enemy having retreated a short distance to another hill, where they 
were reinforced, and, in a great measure, secured from our fire. 
The regiment here exhibited an exampl6 of cool, heroic courage, 
which would do credit to soldiers of long experience in battle. 
Subjected as they M'ere to a deadly fire of artillery and a cross fire 
of infantry, they stood their ground with firmness, and delivered 
their fire rapidly, but with cool deliberation and good effect. 
During this fire, Gen. Chalmers' brigade having retired from our 
view, finding it necessary to move to the right' in order to support 
Col. Moore, who had just come up with his regiment (the 2d Texas), 
we were met by a new and warm fire, which was vigorously re- 
turned. At this moment the enemy raised a white flag, which 
caused us to slacken our fire, but as a large force of theirs to the 
left of our front continued a heavy fire, probably not knowing that 
their commander had surrendei'ed, I moved the regiment a few 
yards obliquely to the rear, to secure a more favorable position. 
His fire was soon silenced. Our cavalry moved up, and conducted 
the prisoners, amounting to about three thousand men, out before 
ns. The regiment was then ordered to take charge of these prison- 
ers, and started with them to the rear, but was halted and formed 
in line, with orders to charge the enemy to the river. But after 
passing through the deep ravine below the lowest camps, we were 
halted within about four hundred yards of the river, and remained 
ready to move forward for about half an hour, when night came 
on, and we were ordered to the rear, and were assigned to bivouac 
Ijy Gen. Withers. During all this movement, the regiment was 
under a heavy fire from their gunboats and other artillery. 

The regiment slept on their arms during the night. Early next 
morning. Gen. Hardee came up with a body of troops and directed 
me to join him. Afl;er moving back a short distance, we were met 
by Gen. Withers, who took immediate command of a brigade, of 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 277 

which the 19th regiment formed a part, and ordered us to move 
forward to suj^port Gen. Bi-eckinridge. On reaching the ground we 
were placed on Gen, Hardee's left, and by his order tlie regiment 
was deployed as skii-oiishers before his entire command. After 
being again assembled, the regiment advanced and engaged the 
enemy. About 11 o'clock Gen, Chalmer's brigade came to our 
assistance, and we remained attached to his brigade, continually 
engaging the enemy, until we were ordered to retire in the evening, 
when we followed his brigade a short distance to the rear. Gen. 
Withers here directed me to form a brigade by joining my regiment 
to some other troops which he placed under my command. 

After the remainder of the army had pissed to the rear of this 
brigade, the final order was given for the brigade to retire. 

This is a brief and necessarily imperfect re}X)rt of the action of 
the regiment during the time called for by your order. 

Too high praise cannot be accredited to the company officers and 
men for their conduct during the entire engagement. Exposed as 
they had been for two nights previously to drenching rains, without 
tents, and with little covering, they were of course somewhat jaded ; 
but at the first sound of the enemy's guns they moved forward with 
a cheerful alacrity and good order, that showed clearly that it was 
such music as they loved. Under fire almost incessantly the first 
day, they moved from one position to another, as they were ordered, 
not only with firmness buf with enthusiasm. On Monday some of 
the ofiioers and men were so exhausted as to be unable longer to 
endure* the fatigues of the march and battle. The remainder 
evinced the most untiring endurance and excellent courage. The 
list of casualties herewith presented, amounting to thirty-three and 
a third per cent, of the aggregate strength of the regiment (both 
ofiicers and men) on the .6th instant, testifies with sufficient eloquence 
to the patriotic devotion of the 19th Alabama regiment. One stand 
•of the enemy's colors was taken by the regiment, which has been 
previously forwarded. The gallantry and heroic courage of the 
■field and stafi", Lieut,-col. E. D. Tracy and Major McSpadden, and 
Adj. Walker, was conspicuous. Adj. Walker was wounded on the 
6th, and retired from the field. Lieut.-col. Tracy had his horse shot 
from under him on Monday, and during the entire two days exhi- 
bited marked coolness and noble bearing. He, together with Major 
McSpadden, remained with the regiment from the beginning of the 
engagement Sunday morning, until its termination Monday evening. 
Lieuts. Palmer, Hagood, Barry, Neighbors, Hods, Anderson, and 
B. F. Porter, and Serg.-major P. L, Griflitts, also remained with the 



278 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES, 

regiment during the entire two days, and displayed commendable 
fortitude and manly courage. 
I am, captain, 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

JOSEPH WHEELER, 
Colonel commanding IMh regiment Alabama 'Volunteers. 



Report of Captain Girardey. 

Ca:mp Jackson, near Corinth, Miss., 

April 12, 1862. 
To Capt. Jos. B. Cummings, A. A. A. General, 

dd Mgade, C. S. A., of the 3Iiss. Withers^ division : 

Captain : I have the honor to report, that on Sunday morning, 
the 6th inst., the battery under my command became engaged for 
the first time, about 9 o'clock, with a battery of the enemy, which I 
observed to be co-ntending with one of our own batteries. The 
battery of the enemy, being thus exposed to two fires, was soon 
silenced. In this engagement, we sustained no loss, notwithstandr 
ing the enemy's fire was skilfully directed towards us. The enemy's 
battery was posted in rear of a camp that was located about the 
centre of the first line of their camps. One of my cannoniers, after 
the engagement, went to where the battery was stationed and re- 
turned Avith their colors, which I forwarded to Gen. Withers, com- 
manding 2d division. 

After leaving this camp, I received orders to take position in front 
of the brigade on a hill facing the camp of the enemy. In placing 
the battery in position, I observed some of the enemy's skirmishers 
stationed behind trees, in a deep ravine on the left and fi-ont of the 
hill. This fact was clearly established, as I was fired at by several, 
and immediately Lieut. A. Spellers, of my company, shot one of them 
with a Yankee rifle that was taken from the enemy by one of my 
cannoniers. I reported the same to the general commanding the 
brigade, and asked for skirmishers to encounter the enemy (while 
placing my guns in a position to fire down the ravine), which request 
was complied with. In this engngement Lieuts. Barnes and Spellers' 
sections were brought into action, the other could not be placed in 



OFFICIAL REPOKTS OF BATTLES. 279 

an advantageous position ; we first fired some canister upon the 
enemy in tlie ravine, and then shelled their camp, we, consequently, 
sustained no loss in this engagement. From this place, we pushed 
forward on the enemy's camp, from which they had retreated and 
formed on a ridge to the right, where they were screened by a 
dense growth of bushes ; I placed four pieces of my battery fronting 
the enemy at a distance of about one hundred yards, and two pieces 
flanking them on the i^ght. We commenced firing with canister, 
which we continued to use with terrible effect, they resisting us with 
desiderate valor. In this engagement, Lieut. J. J. Jacobus fell 
mortally wounded, while gallantly commanding liis section. Gun- 
ner A. Roesel was killed while aiming his gun ; both were shot 
through the forehead by rifle or musket balls. Lieut. C. Speath 
was wounded in the right arm. John Halbert shot through both 
arms. J. T. Kethercus shot through the neck. Tho's J. Murphy 
and S. A. Ingolls in the hip — all bravely engaged at their posts. 
Our loss in this engagement would have been greater, had it not 
been for the brave charge made by the regiments, under our gallant 
commander, Brig.-gen. Jackson. 

In three subsequent engagements, during the day, we sustained 
no loss, excepting two horses wounded. A limber from one of my 
pieces being broken, I took one from the broken battery captured 
(in the morning's engagement), of the enemy and attached it to my 
gun. Also replenished my stock of ammunition from that of the 
enemy ; (the Yankee ammunition is in capital order, especially the 
friction tubes, which are superior to ours : they were of good service 
in our subsequent engagement). On Monday morning, the 7th 
instant, my battery being separated from the brigade, I proceeded 
forward, towards the enemy's line. Approaching Brig.-gen. Clai- 
born's command, I discovered the enemy's line in the woods beyond 
an open field. They attempted to form in the rear of Gen. Clai- 
born's command, who was stationed on my right. I took position 
directly in front of the enemy and engaged them for a few minutes, 
when they shifted their position, fronting Gen. Claiborn's command. 
I then changed front to the left, to support Gen. Claiborn, whose 
forces had made no demonstration to prevent the enemy "^5 position. 

The enemy's battery opened a heavy fire upon us, killing two of 
my horses and disabling several, also Avounding two of my can- 
noniers (P. C. Buckley by a shell, and B. Wolfe by a musket ball), 
flesh wounds, both in action at their posts. Having expended the 
ammunition of two pieces engaged, the caissons of same being de- 
tained in passing a branch of a ravine, I ordered them to fall back, 



280 OFFICIAL EFFORTS OF BATTLES. 

and withdrew the three that were in charge of Lieuts. Barnes and 
SpeUers, to form on the right (during the movement, the infantry- 
engaged the enemy), they having lost several horses, were com- 
pelled to leave one of their pieces. I retm-ned to get my piece^- 
in passing the enemy's camp, near the open field, I perceived the 
enemy moving towards our left, and I immediately engaged them, 
and was joined by Capt. Robinson's battery (without any support 
of infantry near) in the midst of a heavy and fierce fire of the 
enemy's battery. I received orders to cease firing. Our brigade 
(3d), just then passing, I joined and followed them in accordance to 
orders, under the impression to make an attack upon some other 
point. I was then called on to detail my cannoniers to man a bat- 
tery in Gen. Breckinridge's command, to which I complied. We 
arrived in camp on Tuesday, the 8th inst., and on the 9th received 
orders to return to Monterey. It was impossible for the entire bat- 
tery to proceed forward, on account of the used up and worn out 
condition of our horses, also much of our harness being broken and 
unserviceable. One section is now, and since that time, on duty at 
Monterey. 

I omitted to state, that at the place of engagement where Lieut. 
Jacobus fell, Corporal Hughes captured a banner, and private Hill 
a marker's flag, which I forwarded to Gen. Withers. I also for- 
warded nine (9) muskets to the ordnance depot. Corporal J. Van 
Dohlen, of my company, during the entire actions of both days, 
gave evidence of distinguished courage and bravery. In conclusion, 
allow me to state that the entire command, throughout the action, 
fought with cool and determined bravery, and I trust contributed 
much towards our successful effbrts on the battle-field. 
I remain, captain, with high consideration. 

Very respectfully, your ob't servant, 

. J. P. GIRARDEY, 
Captain commanding Washington Light Artillery^ 

Georgia Volunteers. 

P. S. — Wm. H. Pool was wounded in the breast by a musket 
ball. Wm. H. Stanley, shoulder dislocated — fell from horse, while 
on his mdfrch on the field, on the 6th inst. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 281 



Report of Brig.-gen. Ruggles, commanding Division. 

Head-quarters Ruggles' Division, 2d Corps, A. M., 
Corinth, Miss., April 25, 1862. 
To Major G. G. Garner, 

Assistant Adjutant-general : 

Sir : — I have the honor to submit the following report of the ser- 
vices of my division at the battle of Shiloh, Tennessee, on the 6th 
and 7th instants : 

On Sunday morning, the 6th instant, at daybreak, the three 
brigades composing my division occupied the position in line of bat- 
tle, in double column at half distance, vs^hich had been, under the 
orders of the jirevious day indicated, extending from the Bark road 
on the right, towards Owl creek on the left, a distance of some two 
miles. Major-gen. Hardee's advance, extending from the Bark road 
a short distance towards my left, constituted my first line. 

About sunrise I sent orders to the commanders of brigades to 
advance, with deploying intervals, taking the first as the brigade of 
direction. 

Soon afterwards, receiving orders from Major.-gen. Bragg, I di- 
rected Col. R. L. Gibson's first brigade to march by the right flank 
across the Bark road, and then advance in support of the first line, 
as previously ordered. 

I then made dispositions as rapidly as possible, to insure con- 
formity on the part of the other brigades of my division with this 
change of plan. 

The commander of the 3d brigade. Col. Preston Pond, had been 
already directed to throw one regiment of infantry and a section of 
Capt. Ketchura's guns into position on the Owl creek road, and 
prevent his turning our left flank. 

Four companies of cavalry, under Capts. J. T. Jenkins (command- 
ing), A. Tomlenson, J. J. Cox, and J. Robins, covered our right 
and left flank. 

Returning from a rapid supervision along the line, when ap- 
proaching the Bark road, the enemy opened tire from point to point 
in rapid succession, driving back some troops of the first line. 

The Washington Artillery, under Capt. Hodgson, was then 
brought forward, and two howitzers and two rifled guns, command- 
ed by Lieut. Slocumb, with two guns under Major Hoop, were put 
in position on the crest of a ridge near an almost impenetrable, 



282 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

boggy thicket, ranging along our front, and opened a destruc'ive 
fire in i-esponse to the enemy's batteries, then sweeping our lines at 
short range. I also sent orders to Brig.-gen. Anderson to advance 
rapidly with his -second brigade, and as soon as he came up I di- 
rected a charge against the enemy, in which some of the 6th Mis- 
sissippi and 2d Tennessee joined. At the same time I directed 
other troops to move rapidly by the right, to turn the enemy's po- 
sition beyond the swamp, and that the field artillery follow as soon 
as masked by the movement of the infantry. Under these move- 
ments, vigorously executed, after a spirited contest, the enemy's 
whole line gave way, and our advance took possession of the camp 
and batteries against which the charge was made. I sent, then, 
orders to Col. Pond to advance rapidly the 3d brigade, swinging 
to the right, meeting the development of the enemy's line of tire, 
sweeping the camj) on the left, and to prevent surprise on his left 
flank. 

Subsequently, I sent orders to Col. Looney's 38th regiment, Ten- 
nessee, and the section of Ketchum's battery then on the Owl creek 
road, to conform to these movements. In the mean time the first 
brigade (Gibson's) united with Brig.-gen. Hindman's advance, after 
having driven the enemy from their cam]) on our right, engaged in 
repeated charges against the enemy's new line, now held on the 
margin of an open field swept by his fire. 

The enemy's camj^s on our left being apparently cleared, I en- 
deavored to concentrate forces on his right flank in this new posi- 
tion, and directed Capt. Hodgson's battery into action there. The 
fire of this battery and a charge from the 2d brigade put the enemy 
to flight. Even after having been driven back from this position, 
the enemy rallied and disputed the ground with remarkable tenacity 
for some two or three hours against our forces in front and his right 
fiank^ w^here cavalry, infantry, and artillery mingled in the conflict. 

As the enemy finally gave way, I directed the movement of the 
2d brigade towards the right along the crest of the ridge, following 
the line of the enemy's continutd resistance, and sent a section of 
Ketchum's battery into action, on a road leading towards Pittsburg, 
in a position overlooking the broken slope below, to reply to bat- 
teries nearly in front, and in the forest to the right, with which the 
enemy swept a large circuit around, sending also Col. Smith's 
Louisiana Crescent regiment (3d brigade) to support this "buttery, 
then harassed by skirmishers, and to seize the opportunity to chai"ge 
the enemy's position. I then put a section of guns in position on 
the road leading along the ridge still farther to the right, which was 



OFFICIAL RKrORTS OF BATTLES. 2S3 

forced soon to retire under the concentrated fire of the enemy's 
artillery. Discovering the enemy in considerable numbers moving 
through the forest on the lower margin of the open field in front, I 
obtained Trabue's and Standford's light batteries, and brought them 
into action and directed their fire on masses of the enemy then 
pressing forward towards our riglit, engaged in a fierce contest with 
our forces then advancing against him in that direction. For a brief 
period the enemy apparently gained ground, and when the conflict 
was at its height these batteries opened upon his concentrated forces, 
producing immediate commotion, and soon resulted in the precipi- 
tate retreat of the enemy from the contest. 

At this moment the 2d brigade and the Crescent regiment pressed 
forward and cut off a considerable portion of the enemy, who sur- 
rendered. 

Subsequently, while advancing towards the river, I received in- 
structions from Gen. Bragg to carry forward all the troops I could 
find, and while assembling a considerable force ready for immediate 
action, I received from Col. Augustin notice of Gen, Beauregard's 
orders to withdraw from the further pursuit ; and finding soon after- 
wards that the forces were falling back, I retired with them, just as 
night set in, to the open field in rear ; and as I received no further 
orders, I directed Gen. Anderson and Col. Gibson to hold their troops 
in readiness, with their arms cleaned and cai'tridges supplied, for 
service the next morning. 

For the movement of the 3d brigade during the day, sweeping 
the left around towards the enemy's centre, and the position held 
during the night, reference is made to the report of Col. Pond, the 
brigade commander. 

On the morning of the 7th, about 6 o'clock, a message from Col. 
Pond gave notice that the enemy were in his front in force, and that 
he would endeavor to hold him in check until he should receive 
reinforcements. My 1st and 2d brigades moved immediately to the 
field, and joined Col. Pond in his position. 

Some time afterwards, Col, Pond's brigade was ordered to the 
right, and Col. Gibson's then occupied the left, with a part of which, 
and some two companies of cavalry, we made the attempt to charge 
the enemy's right flank and silence a battery there, in which we 
only partially succeeded, with Col. Pagan's 1st Arkansas regiment, 
from the exhausted condition of the infantry, and fruitless attempt 
of the cavalry. 

We succeeded, however, after having silenced and dislodged the 



284 OFFICTAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

battery, in maintaining a position well advanced upon the enemy's 
flank, until recalled and moved to the centre and left of our line, 
■where the conflict raged most fiercely for some hours with varying 
fortune, until on the approach of night our troops were withdrawn- 
from the field. 

In falling back, I commanded the artillery, infantry, and cavalry, 
constituting the second line, or rear guard, of the movement. 

In these successive conflicts, covering a period of nearly two days, 
the troops of my division displayed almost uniformly great bravery 
and personal gallantry, worthy of veterans in the cause. 

The regiments were remarkable for their steadiness in ac- 
tion, the mamtenance of their organization in the field, and their 
good conduct generally from the beginning to the end of these 
battles. 

In consequence of the hurried nature of my report, I shall not 
enter into details touching the personal conduct of many officers and 
men distinguished for their gallantry, or the special and signal ser- 
vices of regiments. Commending, however, the reports of brigade, 
regimental, and independent company commanders, in all particulars, 
to special consideration. 

It gives me pleasure to acknowledge the services on the field, 
promptly and gallantly rendered, of Capt. Roy M. Hooe, Assistant 
Adj.-gen, and 1st Lieut. M. B. Ruggles, aid-de-camp, throughout 
the successive conflicts ; of Lieut. L. D. Sandidge, Acting Assistant 
Inspector-gen., the greater part of both days ; of Major John 
Claiborne, chief quarter-master, a part of the day; of Surgeon F. 
W. Hartford, chief surgeon, slightly wounded, who rendered im- 
portant services in the field until the wounded required his profes- 
sional services ; of Major E. S. Ruggles, volunteer aid-de-camp, 
until disabled in the left arm by the explosion of a shell near the 
close of the first day ; of Capt. G. M. Beck, volunteer aid-de-camp, 
and of Col. S. S. Pleard, Louisiana volunteers, who volunteered and 
rendered important services on the field both days, and Dr. P. S. 
Sandidge, who volunteered professionally, and although partially 
disabled by being thrown against a tree, accompanied me to the 
end of the contest. Major Plollinquist, chief of artillery, rendered 
me important services during a part of the second day. 

I have to regret the loss of Lieut. Benjamin King, Acting Assist- 
ant-gen, killed during the first day, and of private Muusel W. 
Chapman, of the Tth Louisiana volunteers, my secretary, towards 
the close of the second day, and of corporal Adam Cleniger, and 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 285 

l^rivate John Stemaker, of Capt. Cox's cavalry, who were killed 
while serving as couriers nnder my immediate orders. 
I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

DANIEL RUGGLES, 
Brigadier-general C. S. A., Comcfg Division, 



Report of Col. Randall Lee Gibson, Commanding First 
Brigade, Ruggles' Division. 

Head-quaeters, First Brigade, Ruggles' Division, 
CoRiNTU, Miss., April 12, 1862. 
Capt. R. M. HooE, 

Assistant Adjutant-general : 

Sir : — I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
part taken by the 1st brigade, Ruggles' division : composed of the 
19th regiment Louisiana volunteers, Col. B. L. Hodge ; 1st Arkan- 
sas regiment. Col. James Fagan ; 13th regiment Louisiana volun- 
teers, Major A. P. Avegno, commanding ; and the 4th regiment 
Louisiana volunteers, Col. H.W. Allen, in the action of the 6th and 
Tth instant. At daybreak on the morning of the 6th, the brigade 
was posted on the right of Ruggles' division and held in double 
column at half distance, by command of Brigadier-gen. Ruggles ; 
the right resting on the old Ridge road. Its position Avas afterwards 
changed further to the right; the left brought up to the old Ridge 
road by order of Major-gen. Bragg. I was then ordered to march 
rapidly by the right flank to the support of Brig.-gen. Hindman. 
In the execution of this order, we passed within reach of a battery 
of the enemy on our left, from the fire of which several casualties 
resulted. Proceeding again by the left flank, in line of battle, we 
marched through the enemy's camp, and up to the battery, which 
was taken at the instant by tli,e first line. It was at this point that 
we first opened fire on the enemy. 

I Avas then commanded, by Major-gen. Bragg to attack the enemy 
m a position to the front and right. The brigade moved forward 
in fine style, marching through an open field under a heavy fire, 
and half way up an elevation covered with an almost impenetrable 
thicket, upon Avhich the enemy Avas posted. On the left, a battery 



286 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

opened, that raked oui- flank, while a steady fire of musketry ex- 
tended along the entire front. Under this combined fire, our lines 
were broken and the troops fell back. But they were soon rallied 
and advanced to the contest. Four times the position was charged ; 
four times the assault proved unavailing. The strong and almost 
inaccessible position of the enemy ; his infantry well covered in 
ambush, and his artillery skilfully posted and efliciently served, was 
found to be imjjregnable to infantry alone. We were repulsed. 
Our men, however, bore their repulse with steadiness. 

When a larger force of infantry and artillery was moved to flank 
this position on the right, a part of the brigade formed on the left 
of the assaulting line, and a j^art held a position to the rear in the 
old field near by. The enemy was driven from his position. From 
this, his retreat became precipitate, and in obedience to orders, we 
moved with the main body of the army towards the river. 

I was again commanded by Brig.-gen. Ruggles to retii'e my 
command from the fire of the gunboats. In this movement, con- 
siderable disorder ensued, owing to the fact that all the troops were 
closely massed near the river. My whole command was kept to- 
gether for the night, except the 1 9th regiment Lousiana Volun- 
teers, Col. B. L. Hodge, who, in spite of my exertions and his own, 
did not succeed in reporting to me until after the battle of the 7th. 

We had hardly taken position in line of battle under the immedi- 
ate supervision of Brig.-gen. Ruggles, early on the morning of the 
7th instant, when I was ordered to advance a certain distance and 
then oblique to the right. An abrupt descent of fifty or sixty feet, 
perhaps more, from a ridge to a swamp, added very much to the 
fatigue of the men, and disturbed very decidedly the regularity and 
rapidity of this movement. 

At the command, however, to charge a battery, on the right 
flank of which we were marching, they advanced with enthusiasm 
and captured a field battery from the enemy under a galling fire. 
Finding that a battery was playing upon us from the right, while 
the enemy was attempting to throw forward a heavy force on our 
left, with a view of assailing our own battery to our rear and cir- 
cumventing my entire command, I* withdrew the brigade into a 
ravine and threw forward a portion of the troops to my left, whose 
steady fire drove back the advancing lines. I also sent forward 
officers to bring down the battery we had captured, from the sum- 
mit of the hill upon which our flag was posted, with a view of 
opening its guns on the enemy, but the want of ammunition pre 
vented this. 



OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLES. 287 

At about this moment I was ordered to proceed in all haste to 
the position assigned me in the morning^ near which the battle 
was now hotly contested. The rout we were obliged to take was, 
at times, very abrupt, thickly covered with undergrowth, and filled 
with swampy bottoms. My men were considerably jaded and scat- 
tered in the rapid march, but just so soon as they could be formed 
in line and replenished with ammunition, they were hurried into the 
fight. Under the inspiration of the presence of our superior offi- 
cers. Gens. Beauregard and Ruggles, men already sinking with 
fatigue or wounds, rallied again and entered the lines. It was im- 
possible to preserve much order in this movement. Col. Fagan, 1st 
Arkansas, led his regiment to the charge. Major Avegno, the 13th 
regiment Louisiana Volunteers, Lieut.-col. Hunter, — Col. Allen 
having been wounded the day previous, — rallied the 4th regiment 
Louisiana Volunteers. The regiments were somewhat mixed, but 
altogether the brigade moved forward. We continued the conflict 
until the forces generally retired, and at the last position near the 
hospital, it was gratifying to see so many officers and men of tlie 
brigade formed in line ready to meet the enemy. Under orders 
from Major-gen. Bragg, I moved to the rear and encamped at Mon- 
terey. Such was the part, briefly stated, borne by the 1st brigade 
in the engagements of the 6th and 7th inst. It is not ray duty to 
laud either the officers or the men. A report annexed will show 
the loss it sustained in killed, wounded, and missing. That regi- 
ments thrown together for the first time should have moved 
throughout the battle with j)recision and celerity, was scarcely to 
be expected. But that their disj)osition was good, cannot be ques- 
tioned. A loss of nearly one-third of the command in killed, 
wounded, and missing, of itself, proclaims the steadfast valor of the 
men. The names of the brave dead will be treasured in the hearts 
of their countrymen. Their gallant deeds shall immortalize the 
last scene of Confederate triumph, and inspire their surviving com- 
rades with the desire to emulate their examples. 

Lieut.-col. Thompson, Capts. Gibson, McMahon, and several 
other officers of the 1st Arkansas, and Capt. Hilliard, of the 4th 
regiment Louisiana Volunteers, fell at the head of their men on the 
first day, as patriots fall for country and firesides. They were 
noble soldiers. On the second day the gallant Capt. Tooraen was 
killed urging forward his men. Major A. P. Avegno was danger- 
ously wounded rallying his command on the second day. Col. 
Hodge, 1 9th, Col. H. W. Allen, 4th regiment Louisiana Volunteers, 
and Col. Fagan, 1st Arkansas, were everywhere. So likewise were 



2SS OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATfLES. 

Lieut.-col. S. E. Hunter, 4tli regiment Louisiana, and Capt. Du- 
broca, 13th regiment Louisiana Volunteers, while in command of 
their respective regiments. Many of the companies of the different 
regiments were left without officers. In the capture of the battery 
on the second day, the officers and men discovered the qualities of 
true and heroic soldiers. It was in the first charge on the 6th, that 
Lieut. Ben. King was mortally wounded. Although recently pro- 
moted to the staff of Brig.-gen. Ruggles, he was acting as my aid, 
and up to the moment that he received his mortal wound, bore 
bimseU with great coolness and gallantry. He had long been as- 
sociated with me, and his loss deprived his country of one of ita 
most accomijlished, brave, and devoted officers. He fell in the dis- 
charge of liis duty, and was borne from the field without a word 
but of good cheer to those near him. Among the living, where all 
acted well, it w'ould perhaps be invidious to mention any who may 
have rendered themselves more conspicuous than others. 

Mr. Robert Pugh, as my aid on the 6th, rendered valuable ser- 
vices, and Lieut. H. H. Bein, A, A. A. G., also during the same 
day, was of very great assistance to me. 

The loss of so many brave officers and true men, together with 
the hardships endured in falling back to this point, had at first a 
depressing effect on the command, but it is rallying very fast, and 
will again move forward with resolution to meet our defeated foe. 
I have the honor to remain, captain, 

Your obedient servant, 

RANDALL LEE GIBSON", 
Col. command'mg \st Brigade^ Rugyles' Division. ■ 



Report of CoL B. L. Hodge. 

Head-quarters of IOth Regiment La. Vols. 

Corinth, Miss. 
To Col. R. L. Gibson, 

Commanding \st Brigade, Buggies'' I)ivisio?i: 
Sir : — In pursuance with your orders, I have the honor to submit 
herewith a brief report of the part taken by my regiment in the 
engagements with the enemy, on the 6th and Vth inst., at Shiloh 
church. 

My regiment being on the right of the 1st brigade of the division 
commanded by Brig.-gen. Ruggles, was bivouacked on the night 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 289 

of the 5th inst. immeiliately to the right of the "Bark," or "Old 
Bark road," as I understood the road to hd called that led to the 
enemy's encampment. At half-past 5 o'clock a. m., on the morn- 
ing of the 6th, we commenced the march, and in accordance with 
yom- orders, I conducted the regiment so as to leave sj^ace for the 
1st Arkansas regiment, Col. Fagan, which was immediately on our 
left, to deploy into line. 

Advancing to the front in conformity with these instructions, my 
command soon crossed over to the right of the road, when Gen. 
Bragg himself, in person, ordered me so to conduct my regiment 
forward, that when fornied into line of battle the said road should 
be immediately on my riglit. 

Having repassed t<^ the left of the road, I continued to move 
forward rapidly, until we came in sight of the enemy's camji, when, 
by your order through Mr, Pugh, I halted the regiment, having 
previously deployed them into line. At this time my regiment 
was in the woods, the 1st Arkansas on my left, in a field. Imme- 
diately after our line halted, a battery of the enemy, posted on an 
eminence to the left and rear of their front line of camps, opened on 
us with shot and shell. Although exposed to this fire for fully 
half an hour, only two of my men were wounded ; the guns of the 
enemy at this point being served with little effect, except upon the 
tree tops around ns. This battery having been captured by the 
troojis of some other command, and our brigade having been 
moved forward a short distance beyond the outer line of the ene- 
my's camps, my regiment upon the verge of an old field, we for the 
first time engaged the enemy. Seeing that the distance was too 
great for our arms to do execution, we ceased firing after two or 
three rounds. The enemy again noticed our ajjpearance by a few 
shell, but with even less effect than before. 

From this point we moved about half a mile to the right, and a 
little in advance. Passing through a wheat field, we crossed a road 
leading in the direction of Hamburg. At this time the 1st Arkan- 
sas and my regiment were well together in line, as I could see while 
passing through the field. Just after crossing the road, my regi- 
ment entered a small farm, a log cabin near the centre, our line ex- 
tending across the field. We had advanced midway the little farm, 
which is about one hundred and fifty yards in width, when the 
enemy, lying in ambush about eighty or one hundred yards beyond 
the outer fence, and directly in our front, opened fire upon our 
entire line. Although the fire was not expected at the moment, the 
advance of the regiment was not checked in the slightest degree, 

19 



290 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

but moving forward steadily to the fence, the men commenced to 
deliver their tire at will. Owing to the impenetrable undergrowth 
between the enemy's position and ours, I was unable to see him ; 
and from the manner of the men looking through the bushes as if 
hunting an object for their aim, it was apparent that they, too, were 
unable to descry the concealed foe, and were only firing at the flash 
of the enemy's pieces. Seeing that ray men were being rapidly shot 
down, and having no reason to believe that we were inflicting equal 
injury upon the enemy, I gave the order to cease firing and charge 
bayonets. Ofiicers and men alike obeyed the order promptly. So 
dense and impenetrable became the thicket of undergrowth, that 
after my men had boldly forced their way twenty or thirty steps 
into it, and it seeming impossible to make further progress, I again 
gave the order to commence firing. The regiment now gradually 
fell back to the fence. Finding that the enemy were now opening 
a cross fire upon us from our left, and seeing a large number of my 
small command killed and wounded, I deemed it my duty to order 
the regiment to fall back to the other side of the little farm, which 
was accordingly done in good orcler. In this unequal contest, 
unequal on account of the enemy's local position, the regiment sus- 
tained heavy loss. In this one action, out of little less than three 
hundred, we had lost, in killed and wounded, between forty and 
fifty as brave and gallant men as ever risked their lives in the de- 
fence of a rigliteous cause. 

Adjutant J. P. Harris, Lieut. Clark, of comj^any I, Lieut. Spears, 
company C, here fell severely wounded. As of others, so I have 
the pleasure of bearing testimony of these, they did their duty well 
and nobly. 

Having fallen back beyond the small farm, I halted the regiment 
and waited in the hope that the enemy would leave his covert and 
give us a fair fight. But he too fully appreciated his great advan- 
tage of position to give it up. Remaining in this position a short 
time, having no order from you or our division commander, I re- 
ceived an order from Gen. Bragg, transmitted through one of his 
staff, to advance again and attack the same jiosition from which we 
had just withdrawn. Of course the order was obeyed without 
delay, but I requested the ofiicer to say to the general that I 
thought it impossible to force the enemy from this strong position 
by a charge from the front, but that a light battery playing on 
one flank, and a simultaneous charge of infantry on the other, the 
position could be carried with but small loss. Again we advanced 
into the little farm, and again, when midway the clearing, the enemy 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 291 

opened fire ui^on i;s. Again we i^ressed on to the outer fence di- 
rectly in front of his ambuscade. Here we remained exposed to 
his merciless fire for over half an hour, Avithout the power to inflict 
any apparent injury upon the hidden foe. In justice to my com- 
mand, again I ordered them to fall back, which was done in as good 
order as before. In this second attack, we had lost, in killed and 
wounded, fifteen men of desperate courage and unflinching bravery. 
Among them, Lieut. Leverett, of company D, mortally wounded, 
Lieut. Maples, company B, slightly wounded. It wt)uld, under the 
circumstances, have been madness to have kept ray command there 
longer. I may be permitted to add, sir, that this formidable posi- 
tion of the enemy, after having withstoQ.d the repeated attacks of 
various regiments, was only carried at last by a charge upon the 
right flank, supported by a battery on the left. 

After the enemy were driven from this stronghold, we, with 
several brigades, moved towards the river. It was then nigh sun- 
set. In accordance with your order, we commenced falling back 
about dusk, and being separated from the brigade, I conducted the 
regiment to the camp of the enemy, where I had established a tem- 
porary hospital during the day. I was in the saddle till a late hour 
of the night, endeavoring to find your head-quarters. But being- 
unable to do so, I concluded to let my men sleep in the tents where 
they were, having learned that we were a short distance to the right 
of the second brigade. Gen. Anderson, and immediately with Capt. 
Girardey's battery, which had been on my right most of the day. 

Early Monday morning, I had my regiment in motion to join you, 
and was moving with Capt. Girardey's battery towards the left, 
where I expected to join the brigade, when I was ordered by Gen. 
Withers to send my regiment under my lieutenant-colonel to support 
Brig.-gen. Chalmers on the right. At the same time Gen. Withers as- 
signed me to the command of the Crescent regiment, Col. Smith, 
and a battery, 5th company Washington artillery, as a brigade to 
support the line in front, which was at that time engaging the en- 
emy a little beyond the outer line of the enemy's camp, and a short 
distance to the right of where Gen. Beauregard had his head-quar- 
ters Sunday night. Having marched forward about four or five 
hundred yards, our line halted, to await the issue of the conflict 
going on in front of us. A short time elapsed, when the line in front 
of us gave way, and we engaged the enemy. Just at this time I 
had the misfortune to be thrown from my horse, and being badly 
bruised and stunned, was borne from the field. 

In conclusion, sir, I desire to do simple justice to my regiment, 



292 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

by stating the fact that the officers and men did their whole duty — 
nothing more, nothing less. 

Of the part taken by my regiment in the engagement on Monday, 
I am not now able to furnish a report, owing to tlie sickness of my 
lieutenant-colonel, who commanded, not being able to render me a 
statement. His verbal report shows my regiment actively engaged 
all day. So soon as he renders me his report, I will immediately trans- 
mit it to you, to form a conclusion to this report, and to show how 
my regiment \<*as engaged while I was assigned to another com- 
mand. 

I have the honor, colonel, to be, 

Wit^i distinguished regard, 

Your obedient servant, 

B. L, HODGE, 
Col. 19th JRegiment La. Vols. 



Report of Colonel James T. Fagan. 

Head-quarters Ist Arkansas Regiment, 
Near Corinth, Mississippi, 

April 9, 1862, 
Colonel R. L. Gibson, 

Com^nandrng Ist brigade, Mugglea'* Division : 

Colonel : I beg leave to submit the following report of the part 
taken and the loss sustained by my regiment in the battles of the 
Cth and 7th instant. Under the circumstances, it must necessarily 
be meagre and imperfect. Were it at my command, I should use 
no gloss and finish of language on the occasion. A simple reference 
to the list of casualties will tell, in terms too plain to be misunder- 
stood, the story of our loss and suflferings, and the degree of daring 
that was exhibited throughout those two memorable days. It is 
impossible, also, to give any detailed account of the movements and 
manoeuvres of the regiment. The extent and nature of the ground 
over which it marched precludes this. A brief report of the most 
important engagements with the enemy is all that I can render. 

Where a command behaved as well, generally, as did the 1st Ar- 
kansas regiment, it is hard to discriminate or designate any indi- 
vidual instances of bravery. Officers and men did their duty well, 
and conducted themselves as men should who fight for all that is 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 293 

near and dear to them. Against odds, and at gi'eat disadvantage, 
they fought, time and again, bravely, desperately, defiantly ; and 
where they could not by heroic daring force their way, they crim- 
soned the ground with their life-blood. 

On the 6th instant, my regiment was the right centre regiment of 
the 1st brigade, and held this position during the day. The first 
casualties that befell it were on the morning of that day, whilst the 
regiment was filing through the margin of an old field, in full view, 
and at a short distance from the camps of the enemy, and a strong 
battery posted near them. Here Capt. Wm, A, Crawford, of com- 
pany E, wSiS seriously wounded by a bomb bursting right under 
him, and at thesame time several of my men of companies A, E, F, 
near and around him. I felt the loss of Capt. Crawford very much, 
thus early in the day, for I knew well his coolness and decision, and 
what his presence was worth to his command. It was an hour and 
more after this, before we had the first real engagement with the 
enemy. It occurred in an old field to the right of the first, where 
the regiment engaged a force of the enemy's infantry supported by 
a battery of artillery. It lasted only a few minutes ; the enemy 
retired. Our loss at this point was several in killed and wounded. 
The manner in which my men sustained themselves in this, the first 
engagement, was gratifying, and fully justified my expectations, and 
fortified the belief of what they would do when the time should 
come which " tried men's souls." 

It was not long before that time arrived ; it was about noon, the 
turning point of the day and the turning point of the battle. Upon 
the edge of a wheat-field, to the right of the field last mentioned, the 
regiment, with the whole brigade, was drawn up in line of battle, 
and, marching directly to the front across the field, entered a dense 
thicket of undergrowth, which led down to a ravine and to a hill 
beyond. Here we engaged the enemy, three different times, and 
braved a perfect rain of bullets, shot and shell. Exposed, facing 
great odds, with the enemy in front and on the flank, the regiment 
endured a murderous fire until endurance ceased to be a virtue. 
Three different times did we go into that " valley of death," and as of- 
ten were forced back by overwhelming numbers, intrenched in a 
strong position. That all w' as done that could possibly be done, the 
heaps of killed and wounded left there give ample evidence. On the 
right of the I'egiment, dauntlessly leading the advance, fell Lieut.- 
col. John B. Thompson, mortally wounded, pierced with seven balls. 
His loss no one can feel so sensibly as myself Like Havelock, he 
united the graces of religion to the valor of the soldier. Here fell 



294 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

Capt. J. T. Gibson, of company H, and Capt. Jesse T, McMahan, 
of company C, mortally wounded, whilst cheering tlieir men and 
leading them on the charge. Major J. W. Colquitt was here 
severely wounded, and Capt. Jas. Newton, of company A, danger- 
ously. Lieut. L. C. Bartlett, of company C, was killed, and several 
other commissioned officers wounded — all gallantly leading that 
forlorn hope. It was late in the afternoon when the enemy were 
repulsed, and were followed up in the direction of the river. That 
night we slept in the enemy's tents, worn with fatigue, decimated 
in numbers, but elated that such a hard fought day had such a glo- 
rious close. 

About 7 o'clock a. m., on Monday, the 7th inst.-, the regiment 
marched from the tents it had occupied during the night, being on 
this day on the right of the 1st brigade. Marching towards the 
left, orders were received to charge a battery of artillery some dis- 
tance off and to the left. The order was executed, and one field- 
piece taken, but abandoned again under a brisk fire from the enemy, 
who were concealed in numbers in the woods beyond. Under this 
fire, several of my men were wounded ; none seriously. Retiring 
into a ravine, the regiment was withdrawn from its exposed position 
and left that portion of the field. An hour or so later, it was 
marched towards the right, where every inch of ground was being 
hotly contested, and here the regiment engaged the enemy for some 
time in the most desperate and determined style, moving steadily 
on against the ranks in front of them, and when broken and tem- 
porarily thrown into disorder by the tremendous numbers before 
them, they only retired to rally again and come on with renewed 
eagerness to the charge. They rallied around their colors and 
pressed on, time and again, until they were forced to retire by the 
overwhelming pressure against them. Here we sufibred severely, 
losing several commissioned officers in killed and wounded, and 
leaving many brave men who had ever been foremost in the fray 
dead or dying. 

After this, little occurred that is worthy of mention. The regi- 
ment soon after left the field under orders, and encamped that night 
at Monterey, in the quarters occupied by it previously to going out 
to fight. Night closed upon us tired and foot sore, but not 
dispirited. 

I have thus given, colonel, a summary account of the part that 
my regiment took in the fight on each day. It only remains for 
me to add the list of casualties. As before said, these speak with 
an eloquence more powerful than words. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 295 

Capt. A. J, Morgan, of Arkansas, kindly volunteered as my aid, 
and rendered valuable services during the engagement. 
I remain, colonel. 

With much respect, very truly, 

JAMES F. FAGAN, \ 
Col. commanding \st Arkansas regiment. 



Report of Capt. E, M. Dubrooa. 

Col. R. L. Gibson, 

Sir : — I respectfully submit to you the report of the part taken 
by the 13th regiment Louisiana Volunteers, in the battles of the 
6th and 7th instant. Being totally unacquainted with the ground, 
and at that time not dreaming that the command of the regiment 
would devolve upon me, I had not taken minute notice of the dif- 
ferent movements of the regiment, and am afraid my report will be 
a very imperfect one. I shall refrain from naming any of my fellow 
officers for their gallant deeds on the battle-field, as my attention 
was principally occupied in attending to my own company, until 
late in the engagement of the Vth. On the morning of the 6th, the 
regiment, commanded by Major Avegno, was led into action about 
7 o'clock A. M. We first encountered the enemy in one of their 
camps, which I suppose was the first of their camps, still occupied 
by the enemy. There we were formed in line of battle. On our 
right was the 1st Arkansas, and on our left the 4th Louisiana. We 
marched through an open field, under a deadly fire of shell, grape, 
and musketry, and formed in line on the edge of the enemy's camp. 
Our loss in crossing the field was very heavy. Capt. Cassard, of 
company H, was wounded in the leg, and retired from the field. 
Capt. O'Leary, of company A, received a slight wound in the 
shoulder, but still retained his command. We were ordered to the 
right, to charge the enemy, who were laying in ambush at the foot 
of a hill, entirely hidden from us by a dense^ undergrowth, which 
screened their position. We were first apprised of their proximity 
by a shower of musketry sweeping througli our ranks. Bravely did 
our gallant little band stand its ground, and return the enemy's fire. 
But " tliere is a time when endurance ceases to be a virtue." Over- 
whelmed by numbers, we were forced to fall back, and reform anew, 
and a second and a third time we returned to the charge, leaving 



296 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

on the field some of our brave soldiers. Capt. Campbell, of com- 
pany B, being wounded in the arm, his company was left in charge 
of his orderly-sergeant, two of his lieutenants being sick, and one on 
detached service. Major Avegno, being afflicted with a severe cold, 
and uhable to speak, transferred the conunand to Cai)t. O'Leary, ol 
company A. Nothing of importance transpired that night. We 
occupied the enemy's tents. 

On Monday, the 7th, at 7 o'clock, a. m. the order was given to 
" Fall in to lace the enemy again." Although worn out by fatigue, 
and after an almost sleepless night, cheerfully and gladly did the 
13th obey the order. We were ordered to charge a battery, in 
position on a hill at some distance. It was not long before I could 
see our brave boys cheering and following the flying Yankees, who 
left two pieces of artillery behind them, although it was not our 
good fortune to hold them long. The order to fall back to a neigh- 
boring ravine was given, then again we had a glimpse of the Yan- 
kees, and fired a few volleys at them. Lieut. Daly was wounded in 
the head by a jjiece of shell, and was taken to a hospital close by, 
occupied by some of the enemy's wounded. We were then ordered 
to the position we occupied in the morning, and after forming in 
line of battle, we charged on the enemy in an open field. Our loss 
in wounded was very heavy. Capt. O'Leary, of company A, re- 
ceived a second wound in the thigh, and then gave up the command 
of the regiment to me. With some few of our men and about two 
hundred men from different regiments, we made a last and desper- 
ate charge, in which Major Avegno was wounded in the leg. The 
order to retreat was then given. 

All of which I respectfully submit, 

E. M. DUBROCA, 
Captain \Wi ItegH Louisiana Vols, 



Report of the 4th Louisiana Regiment, in the Battle 
of Shiloh, on the 6th and 7th instant, H. W. Allen, 
Colonel commanding. 

CA>rp NEAR ConiNTH, Miss., April 10, 1862. 
CoLO>fEL: — On the morning of tlie 6th, the 4th Louisiana went 
into the engagement with about 575 men, rank and file.» All the 
commissioned officers were present, and participated in the engage- 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 297 

raent, except Lieuts, Turnbull, Blum, and Lemmon, absent on sick 
furlough. While drawn up in line of battle and awaiting orders, a 
Tennessee regiment, immediately in our rear, fired into us by mis- 
take, killing and wounding a large number of my men. This was 
a terrible blow to the regiment, far more terrible than any inflicted 
by the enemy. It almost demoralized the regiment, who, from that 
moment, seemed to dread their friends much more than their ene- 
mies. At the command to advance, we charged up the hill into an 
almost impenetrable thicket. 

The enemy opened a deadly fire, which was quickly returned. 
During the engagement, Col. Fagan, of the 1st Arkansas, sent word 
to Capt. Favrot, of the Delta rifles, " for God's sake to cease firing, 
that we were killing his men, and he was killing ours." Capt. Fav- 
rot, being on the extreme right, gave the order to cease firing. 
While in this position, a murderous fire was poured into us from the 
masked batteries of grape and canister, and also from the rifle-pits. 

The regiment retired — formed again, and again chai-ged. Here 
fell many of my bravest and best men, in the thick brushwood, 
without ever seeing the enemy. The young, but gallant Capt. J. 
T. Hilliard, commanding Company I, Hunter rifles, was killed here. 
Here fell Capts. Taylor and Pennington, and Lieuts. Holmes and 
Aillet and Landry ; Capt. Taylor being most fearfully wounded. 
In this position we remained, firing volley after volley, until the 
enemy had ceased his firing. 

By order of Gen. Bragg, I took position on the hill, and at a later 
hour, marched the regiment to the last scene of action, and re- 
mained till ordered to retire to camp. 

MONDAY THE VtH. 

Having sufiered from loss of blood and intense pain, I placed the 
regiment under the command of Lieut.-col. S. E. Hunter, and rode 
over to the hospital to get relief. After having my wound dressed, 
I was about lying down, in order to take a little rest, when a gene- 
ral stampede began of wagons, ambulances, and men. I mounted 
my horse immediately, and rode after the disgraceful refugees. I 
succeeded in putting a stop to the stampede, and placed cavalry in 
the rear, with orders to cut down all who attempted to pass. Here 
I met an aid of Gen. Bragg, who ordered me to rally all the strag- 
glers, and form them in line. This I did. After forming a bat- 
talion, Lieut.-col. Barrow, commanding the 11th Louisiana, came to 
me with the remnant of his regiment, and placed himself and i-egi- 
ment under my command. This force, together with the remnants 



298 OFFICIAL KEP0KT8 OF BATTLES. 

of two Alabama and one Tennessee regiment, made a large body 
of men, who stood firm in front of the hospitals, ready to receive 
the advancing columns of the enemy. 

"While rallying the stragglers, I came across two batteries that 
had lost all their commissioned officers. These I took possession of, 
sent for ammunition, supplied them with men from my command, 
and sent one of them to Gen. Beauregard. This battery fired the 
last shots against the enemy. The other battery, and the forces 
under my command, held their position, in the very face of the 
enemy, until ordered to be retired by command of Gen. Bragg. 

The regiment went into action on the morning of the Yth, under 
command of Lieut.-col. Hunter. The officers and men fought the 
whole day under his command, and behaved, as I am informed, 
with much gallantry, under the most trying circumstances. 

On this day fell Capt. C. E. Tooraen, of the West Feliciana rifles, 
fighting at the head of his company. He was the bravest of the 
brave, and in his death our country has sustained a serious loss. I 
cannot particularize the daring acts of officers and men. The whole 
regiment acted throughout the Avhole engagements of the 6th and 
Vth (with a few exceptions) with great gallantry. 

I cannot close this report without honorable mention of my regi 
mental color-bearer, Benjamin W. Clarke, and the color-guard, D. 
B, Gorham, T. H. Corcoran, and R. Turner. For two long days, 
amid shot and shell, and a hail-storm of balls, they held the flag 
firm and erect, and brought it back torn into tatters by the bullets 
of the enemy. The loss of the regiment is as follows, viz : 

Killed — Two (2) officers — Capts. Tooraen and Hilliard. Twenty- 
two (22) men. 

Wounded — Twelve (12) officers — Capts. Pennington and Taylor, 
Lieuts. Holmes, Adams, Aillet, Landry, and Smith, Capt. Wingfield, 
Lieuts. Latil, Carter, Amacker, Barton, Skolfield. One hundred 
and fifty-one (151) men. 

Missing — One officer — Lieut. Jenkins. Twenty-one (21) men. 

Total loss — Two hundred and nine (209). 

H. W. ALLEN, 
Colonel commanding Uh Louisiana regiment. 



OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLES. 299 



Report of General Patton Anderson. 

Head-quaeters 2d Brigade Ruggles' Divisiosr, 

2d Army Corps, Army of the Mississippi, 

Corinth, Miss., April 17, 1862. 
To Captain R. M. Hooe, 

A. A. General. 

Division Head-quarters : 

Captain : — I have the honor to make the following report of the 
part taken by my brigade in the actions of the 6th and lih of April, 
at Shiloh, near the Tennessee river. 

On the night of the 4th, in his tent, near Meckey's house, Gen. 
Bragg developed to the division and brigade commanders the plan 
of the proposed attack upon the enemy's forces, encamped at and 
around Shiloh Church. By this plan, Ruggles' division was to form 
on the left of the second line of battle, its left resting upon Owl 
creek and its right on or near the Bark road. My brigade (the 2d) 
was to compose the reserve of this division, and occupy a position 
several hundred yards in rear of its centre, for the purpose of sup- 
porting the right or left, as occasion might require. A sufficient 
interval was to be left between the 1st and 3d brigades to admit of 
my deploying forward into line, should such a movement be found 
necessary. 

The furious storm which raged during the greater portion of the 
night of the 4th, prevented the movement of the army from its biv- 
ouac at Meckey's, until some time beyond the hour designated by 
Gen. Bragg, although my brigade was ready to march at 3 o'clock, 
A. M., of the 5th, and was so reported at the division head-quarters. 
At about 3 o'clock, p. m., of the 5th, my command took its position 
in the column on the Bark road, marching left in front, in the direc- 
tion of Shiloh. The roads were much blocked up by the trains of 
wagons and artillery attached to the corps in front. In order to 
reach my position in the designated line of battle at the hour indi- 
cated in the plan, I left the main road, taking a course through the 
woods parallel to the road, passing other trains and brigades, till the 
way was found open, only a short distance at the point at which I 
was to tile off to the left, and form line at right angles, or nearly 
so, with the Bark road, on which the column was moving. This 
point was reached by the head of my column at about 4 p. m., on 



300 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

the 5th instant, Col. Pond, commanding the 3d brigade, Ruggles' 
division, having preceded me in the direction of Owl creek. After 
leavino- the Bark road, and following Col. Pond's command about 
half a mile, I found his rear halted and his line being formed. Meet- 
in <>• Gen. Bragg at this point, he gave me some directions as to the 
formation, rectifying in some measure the line formed by Col. Pond. 
Soon after this, I met Brig.-gen. Ruggles, commanding the division, 
who substantially reiterated Gen. Bragg's instructions, which I was 
in the act of carrying out. I formed the brigade two hundred and 
seventy yards in rear of the division, in column at half distance, 
doubled on the centre, my right and left respectively half masked 
by the left and right of the 1st and 3d brigades. After posting ail 
adequate guard, arms were stacked, and the troops bivouacked on 
the lines. The night was clear, the air cool and bracing, quite in 
contrast with the previous one. 

At 4 A. M,, on the 6th inst., the men were aroused without fife or 
drum, and silently, but promptly, resumed their arms, ready for the 
order to move forward. This order was soon received, and obeyed 
with alacrity. At this time, the second line of battle (of which my 
brigade composed a reserve on the left) was supposed to be about 
1000 yards in rear of the 1st, or Gen. Hardee's line. We had not 
moved forward over half this distance, however, when I discovered 
that we were approaching within two or three hundred yards of it, 
having taken the step and direction from the 1st brigade (Col. Gib- 
son's) on my right. I also discovered at this time that the right of 
Col. Pond's (the 3d brigade) had not yet taken up the line of march. 
A few moments previous, I had received an order from Gen. Bragg, 
through one of his stafi", to close the interval in front of me, by form- 
ing on Col. Gibson's left. This had been executed before we halted 
a moment to allow Gen. Hardee's line to regain its proper interval. 
Both lines were soon m motion again, and before proceeding far, a 
few scattering musket shots wei-e heard, apparently about half a 
mile to our right, and after a short interval, one or two volleys suc- 
ceeded, the sound coming in the same direction. Occasional reports 
were now heard along our right and centre, and seemed to be 
gradually extending towards our left. At this time my brigade was 
marching in line of battle, in the following order, from right to left, 
viz. : The iVth regiment of Louisiana Volunteers, aggregate 326, 
commanded by Lieut.-col. Charles Jones ; the Confederate Guards 
Response battalion, aggregate 169, commanded by Major F. H. 
Clack ; the Florida battalion, about 250 aggregate, commanded by 
Major S. A. McDowell; the 9th Texas infantry, 226 aggregate, 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 801 

commanded by Col. W. A. Stanley ; and the 20th regiment Louisi- 
ana Volunteers, 507 aggregate, commanded by Col. Augusta 
Reichard. 'The 5th company Washington Artillery, 155 men, 
commanded by Capt. W. Irving Hodgson, following the centre as 
nearly as the nature of the ground would permit, ready to occupy 
an interval either between the Florida battalion and the 9th Texas, 
or between the 9th Texas and 20th Louisiana, as necessity or con- 
venience might require ; the whole composing a force of 1634 men. 
The engagement had now fairly commenced on the right, and that 
portion of Major-gen. Hardee's line, to which Ave were now moving 
up, by order of Gen. Bragg, was sharply engaging the enemy's 
skirmishers. The face of the country at this point, consisting of 
alternate hills and boggy ravines, overgrown with heavy timber and 
thick underbrush, presented features remarkably fevorable for the 
operations of skilful skirmishers. Our impetuous volunteers charged 
them, however, wherever they appeared, and drove them from their 
cover back to their lines near the first camp met with on the Bark 
road, leading towards Pittsburg. Here the enemy, having greatly 
the advantage of position for both his infantry and artillery, made 
a more creditable stand. A battery of his field pieces was in posi- 
tion on the height of a domineering hill, from four to six hundred 
yards in front of our lines, commanding his camp and the approaches 
to it. Immediately in our front, and between us and this battery, 
ran a boggy ravine, the narrow swamp of which was thickly over- 
growm with various species of shrubs, saplings, and vines, so densely 
interwoven as to sometimes require the use of a knife to enable the 
footman to pass. Over this the enemy's battery had a full field to 
fire upon our whole lines. As we descended the declivity, termin- 
ating in the swamp, and on the opposite skirts of the swamp, his 
infantry had all the advantages presented by such shelter on one 
side and obstacles on the other. This ravine and its accompanying 
obstacles could be avoided on the right, but my position in the line 
required a dislodgment of the enemy from his cover, before taking 
a movement in that direction, lest he should fall upon my flank and 
rear, before I could make the circuit of the swamp and hill, to reach 
him where he was. 

The most favorable position attainable by our field pieces was se- 
lected, and Capt. Hodgson was directed to open fire upon the ene- 
my's battery, (now playing vigorously upon us,) with solid shot and 
shrapnel, and when occasion offered, without danger to our own 
troops, to use canister upon his infantry. This order was obeyed 
with alacrity. Taking advantage of this diversion in our favor, the 



302 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

infantry was directed to j^ass through the swamp, and drive the 
enemy before it, until Capt. Hodgson could either silence his bat- 
tery, or an opportunity presented of taking it M'ith the bayonet. 
The movement was made with spirit and vigor. As my left 
reached the thicket at the ravine, a regiment on our left and front, 
which had been unable to cross the branch, came back in some con- 
fosion, breaking the lines of the 20th Louisiana, and causing similar 
confusion in its ranks. Both were soon, however, reformed, and 
the 20th Louisiana (Col. Reichard) regained its proper position in 
line, and forced its way across the swamp under a heavy fire from 
the enemy. At this time the most of my right, the iVtli Lousiana, 
the Confederate Guards, and the Florida battalion, had crossed the 
branch and made a charge up a hill into the edge of the enemy's 
camp, but his battery was playing upon them with such vigor that 
they fell back, in order, a short distance, to a jDoint where they 
were sheltered by the brow of the hill. The perceptibly diminish- 
ing fire from the enemy's battery was soon, by Capt. Hodgson's 
superior practice, entirely silenced. Our infantry, which, in the 
meantime had crossed the boggy ravine, pressed up the hill on the 
other side, driving the enemy from his camp, and reaching the bat- 
tery in time to pour several rounds into the ranks of the fleeing 
cannoniers and their supports, both right and left. The action now 
became general, as was evidenced by the unremitting roll of small 
arms and artillery along the whole line. 

In the attack upon the camp first alluded to, and the taking of 
the battery, my command had assumed a position in the front line, 
availing itself, for this purpose, of an interval nearly in front of us, 
in our first line of battle. After passing their first battery, and being 
driven through their second and third camps into the fourth, the 
enemy made a more obstinate resistance, being favored in this by 
the nature of the ground. Once, and again, our volunteers nobly 
responded to the order to dislodge him. The odds in numbers 
were in his favor, as well as the advantage in position, but as com- 
rade after comrc-fde fell by his side, each Confederate seemed to be 
inspired with fresh courage and determination to win the fight, or 
lose his life. At one time the lines upon my right wavered, and 
seemed to give way for a moment, but a wave of the hat to my 
own brigade, (the voice could not be heard) seemed well under- 
stood, and the command " forward," which it implied, was most gal- 
lantly executed. Again the lines of the enemy gave way, but a bat- 
tery to our left and front now disclosed itself in heavy fire upon our 
centre and right. About this time each command in the biigade 



OFFICIAL EEP0ET8 OF BATTLES. 803 

lost several gallant officers and many not less gallant men. I dis- 
patched an aid, Lieut. Davidson, to the rear to order up a battery, 
and withdrew the infantry a sliort distance to better shelter. The 
artillery gained a favorable j^osition in a few minutes, j^erhaps before 
Lieut. Davidson had had time to deliver my order, and jtromptly 
opened fire upon its antagonist. The infantry was brought up 
again on the right of the battery, at supporting distance, held its 
fire till a favorable moment arrived, when a few well directed vol- 
leys, followed by a shout and a charge to the front, caused the 
enemy again to give way in some confusion, leaving his battery 
behind. 

It is entirely out of my power to give a circumstantial account 
of all the operations of the command during the remainder of this 
day's woi'k. Our movements were all onward. Meeting one of 
Gen. Bragg's aids about this time, I remarked to him, that " from 
the position originally assigned me, that of a reserve, I had worked 
my way into the front line." In a few moments he passed again 
and said, " no difference, the general desires you to go wherever 
the fight is thickest." The enemy's fire in front and to our left was 
now evidently diminishing. Not so, however, on our right. I 
therefore determined to swing around on my riglit, and endeavor 
to press the enemy's right centre back upon his right, where Gen. 
Hardee's invincible columns were driving him towards the river. 
One of his batteries lay immediately in our front, concealed by un- 
dergrowth and a sharp ravine. In approaching it, I met Col. Smith, 
of the Crescent regiment, who had become detached from his bri- 
gade, and now proposed to unite with mine, to which I gladly con- 
sented, and directed him to form on my left. After consulting 
together for a few moments, and making some inquiry of Gen. 
Gardner, who was passing at the moment, and who had recon- 
noitered the ground in the vicinity of the battery which lay in our 
front, and which, by this time, was getting our range j^retty well. 
I determined to move around my right a short distance, letting 
Col. Smith go to the left, and, from the position thus gained, to 
make a simultaneous movement upon the infantry supporting the 
battery, while a section of our own field pieces engaged them in 
front. 

In moving forward through the thick underbrush before alluded 
to, I met a portion of a Louisiana regiment (13th, I think), return- 
ing, and their officers informed me that I could not get through the 
brush. I pushed forward, however, and had crossed the ravine and 
commenced the ascent of the opposite slope, when a galling fire from 



304 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

infantry, and canister from howitzers, swept through my ranks with 
deadly eflect. The thicket was so dense that it was impossible for 
a company officer to be seen at platoon distance. The enemy's 
canister was particularly Avell-directed, and the range, being that of 
musketry, was well calculated to test the pluck of the sternest. So 
far as I was able to observe, however, there w^as no consternation or 
dismay in our ranks. The 20th Louisiana suffered most, its gallant 
colonel having his horse shot, and many of its rank and file meeting 
soldiers' deaths. , They fell back, fighting as they retired, to a point 
from fifty to a hundred yards in the rear, where the brow of a hill 
afforded shelter from the canister, A hurried reconnoisance revealed 
a point fiom which the enemy could be more advantageously assailed. 
Lieut. Davidson, of my staff, was dispatched 'to Gen. Ruggles, not 
far off, with a request that he would send up a few pieces of artil- 
lery to a position indicated, whence a vigorous fire, I felt confident, 
■would soon silence the battery, which was the main obstacle to our 
onward movement. Changing my jDosition somewhat to suit the 
circumstances (several officers of the 20th Louisiana having rejjorted 
to me their men w^ere unable to make another charge, by reason of 
the complete state of exhaustion they were in), I determined to 
make another effort to dislodge the enemy from his position, with 
what of my command was left. Gen. Ruggles had now placed our 
battery in position. Col. Smith, of the Crescent regiment, had 
driven the enemy's sharpshooters from the cover of a log cabin and 
a few cotton bales on the extreme left and near the road, and the 
enemy was being sorely pressed upon the extreme right by our 
columns upon that flank, and I felt the importance of pressing for- 
ward at this point. The troops, too, seemed to be inspired with the 
same feeling. Our battery opened rapidly, but every shot told. To 
the command " forward," the infantry responded with a shout, and 
in less than five minutes after our artillery commenced playing, and 
before the infantry had advanced within shot range of the enemy's 
lines, we had the satisfaction of seeing his proud banner lowered, 
and a white one hoisted in its stead. Our troops on the right had 
been engaging a portion of his lines, unseen by us on account of an 
intervening hill, and when the white flag was run up, they reached 
it first. The sun was now near the western horizon ; the battle 
around us had ceased to rage. I met Gen. Ruggles, who directed 
me to take a road, which was not far to my left, and to move down 
in the direction of the river. I had not proceeded far when, over- 
taking me, he ordered a halt till some artillery could be taken to 
the front, wheu he would give me further directions. Soon afler 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 305 

halting, several brigades, composing portions of Gens. Polk and 
Hardee's commands, filed across the road in front of me, and moved 
off to the left, at a right angle to the road, and commenced forming 
line of battle in an open field and woods beyond. Several batteries 
passed down the road in the direction of Pittsburg. One soon re- 
tm-ned, and filed off into the field where the infantry was forming. 
The enemy's gmiboats now opened fire. Gen. Ruggles directed me 
to move forward a short distance, and by inclining to the right to 
gain a little hollow, which would probably afford better protection 
for my men against shell than the position I then occupied. I 
gained the hollow and called a halt, ordering the men to take cover 
behind the hill, and near a little ravine which traversed the hollow. 
We occupied this position some ten or fifteen minutes, when one of 
Gen. Ruggles' staff directed me to retire to the enemy's camp, 
beyond the range of his floating guns. In filing off from this posi- 
tion several men were killed and many weeded by the exploding 
shells of the enemy. It was now twilight. As soon as we had 
placed a hill between us and the gunboats, the ti'oops moved slowly 
and apparently with reluctance from the direction of the river. It 
was eight o'clock at night before we had reached a bivouac near 
Gen. Bragg's head-quarters, and in the darkness of the night the 
20th Louisiana and portions of the l7th Louisiana and Confederate 
Guards, got separated from that portion of the command in which 
I was, and encamj^ed on other ground. By the assistance of my 
staff, the whereabouts of the whole command was ascertained before 
we slept. I reported in person to Gen. Ruggles, who gave some 
directions in regard to collecting the stragglers, and requested that 
I should report to him again if any thing of importance occurred 
during the night. I retired to the bivouac, which was in an open 
field and apple orchard, near the Big spring. I had purposely 
avoided the enemy's tents, fearing the effect their rich spoils might 
produce upon hungry and exhausted troops. Before twelve o'clock 
one of those terrific rain storms, to which we had so frequently 
been exposed of late, set in with pitiless vehemence, which was 
scarcely abated till dawn of day. With my saddle for a seat, and a 
blanket thrown over my head, I sat all night at the root of an apple 
tree. My staff and troops cheerfully partook of the same fare. 

Soon after daylight on Monday morning, the 7th, I received 
orders from both Gens. Bragg and Ruggles, through their staff 
oflScers, to hold myself in readiness to move out and meet the enemy, 
r hastened to make prepai'ations accordingly. The command was 
marched off from its bivouac by the right flank, in the direction of 

20 



306 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Pittsburg, and after i^roceeding about a half of a mile, was formed 
in line of battle on the right of some Tennessee troops, believed to 
b(long to Gen. Cheatham's command. Some delay was had at this 
point by the constant delay of troops in fragments of brigades, 
regiments, and companies. A portion of the 20th Louisiana, the 
Confederate Guards battalion, and 9th Texas regiment, had become 
detached from my immediate command, by permitting other troops 
to cut them out on the march, and in falling into line. A line of 
battle was, however, formed, and a forward movement commenced. 
By this time our skirmishers on the right had engaged those of the 
enemy, but no general action had begun. 

Our advance movement had not continued far, however, till the 
enemy's lines were disclosed in fi-out. Our trooi:>s went into action 
with a spirit and alacrity scarcely to be expected after the fatigues 
and hardships of the previous days and nights. The enemy was 
evidently in large force, and his troops were fresh. The first onset 
was maintained with spirit by both armies, and for nearly an hour 
the conflict raged in this part of the field with doubtful results. 
Several times we pressed forward against the superior numbers of 
the enemy's fresh columns, but he stubbornly maintained his position. 
Our oflicers and men seemed resolved to drive him back, and sum- 
moning every thing for another struggle, we led the columns up with 
a'volley and a shout from the whole line, which proved irresistible, 
and sent him flying back to his second line, which was strongly 
posted some two hundred yards in the rear. About this time Col. 
Campbell, commanding a Tennessee regiment (number not remem- 
bered), attached himself to my brigade, and fouglit gallantly dur- 
ing the day. I received an order about the same time to support 
a column then hotly engaged some half mile to my right, but before 
reacliing the position, our column had fallen back to better ground, 
and I was directed to support a battery on our left in conjunction 
with Col. Trabue's Kentucky command. I filed ofi" to the left, 
crossing a camp and the avenue under a heavy fire, and reached a 
ravine on Col. Trabue's right, with my right resting upon the bor- 
der of the avenue. The enemy's battery was in position some four 
hundred yards to our front, and ours was about the same distance 
to my left, in a favorable position to silence it. Sharpshooters had 
been thrown forward, and taken position behind a line of logs that 
had been rolled out to one side of the avenue, and were now pick, 
ing ofi" my men as they stood waiting for our battery to accomplish 
its work. I ordered forward a detachment of skirmishers to dis- 
lodge the enemy's sharpshooters, who were posted behind the 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 307 

breastwork of logs before alluded to. They accomplished their work 
in handsome style, and held the position from which they annoyed 
the cannoniers, who were playing upon our battery on the left. 
Observing this advantage, I rode over to the battery to see the 
commanding officer of the infantry, posted on my left, and between 
me and the battery, to ascertain if he could spare me a foi'ce suf- 
ficient to enable me to charge and take the enemy's pieces. I first 
met Major Monroe, of the 4th Kentucky, who referred me to Gen. 
Trabue, to whom I was soon introduced. Hurriedly explaining to 
him my strength and position, and urging the impoi-tance of taking 
the battery in question, adding my conviction that it could be done, 
he readily consented to furnish nie two regiments for that purpose, 
and directed an officer near by to accompany me to whei'e the regi- 
ments were posted. I had not proceeded, however, beyond his 
sight, when he called to me, and approaching, said : " Upon reflec- 
tion, I think I had better not let those regiments leave their j^reseut 
position, since I am directed to support this battery, if attacked." 
I returned to my command, and found that the enemy had discov- 
ered my position, obtained the range, and was shelling us at a rapid 
rate. Not having the force to take his battery, and being unable 
to obtain assistance in that part of the field, I withdrew to a position 
a short distance in the rear, and behind the brow of the next hill. 
Here I found Gen. Cheatham, with a portion of his command, who 
had fallen back from a point farther to the left. I formed on his 
right, and the enemy now appearing on the left, we encountered 
him again, and pushed him back a short distance to where more 
favorable ground enabled him to stand. We were in an open plain 
with a few scattering trees, but not enough to afford material shel- 
ter. The opposing forces were strongly posted in superior numbers 
in a dense wood, affording excellent cover. Our troops stood and 
saw their comrades fall about them, but returned the fire with spirit 
for a length of time, till some detached commands on the extreme 
left gave way, when the whole line retired behind the brow of a 
hill, some hundred and fifty to two hundred yards in the rear. 
Here they rallied and formed again. Gen. Cheatham was particu- 
larly active in effecting the re-formation, urging his troops to make 
a stand, and assuring them of their ability to repulse the enemy. 
Lieut. Sandidge, also of Gen. Ruggles' staff, did gallant service in 
the same way. I take pleasure in referring to a circumstance which 
came under my own observation, as none of his immediate superiors 
were present to record it. "When one of Gen. Cheatham's regi- 
ments had been appealed to in vain to make a charge on the advauc 



308 OFFICIAL KEP0ET8 OF BATTLES. 

ino- foe, Lieut. Sandidge, seizing its colors, and holding them high 
over head, calling upon the regiment to follow him, he spurred his 
horse to the front, and charged over the brow of the hill amidst a 
shower of leaden hail from the enemy. The effect was electrical. 
The regiment moved gallantly to the support of its colors, but su- 
perior numbers soon pressed it back to its original position. Col. 
Stanley, of the 9th Texas, did the same thing with the same result. 
Large numbers of sti-agglers could now be seen in aU directions, 
making their way to the rear. Officers of several regiments report- 
ed to me that their commands were out of ammunition, and that 
the ammunition wagons had all retired to the rear. I detailed a 
non-commissioned officer and two men from the Florida battalion 
to go in search of ammunition. He soon returned, having succeed- 
ed in finding a few boxes in a camp near by — whether left there by 
our wagons or by the enemy, I am unable to say. While the am- 
munition was being distributed, one of Gen. Beauregard's staff came 
by and directed us to retire in order, in the direction of our hospit- 
al. On reaching the brow of the next hill, in an open space, I 
halted the brigade and faced about, hoping with the assistance of 
• two pieces of artUlery,. which I observed near by, that a check 
would be given to the enemy's advance, if indeed he could not be 
driven back. He had halted, evidently, in doubt whether to ad- 
vance or not. I rode up to an officer who appeared to have charge 
of the pieces alluded to, and requested him to open fire upon a line 
which I pointed out. He informed me that he was out of ammu- 
nition, had no horses to draw off his pieces, and had just received 
orders to spike them and leave them on the ground. The enemy's 
lines were still at a halt. I moved on up the road till I met an 
officer, who told me it was Gen. Bragg's order, that the infantry 
should form on a certain ridge, which was pointed out. I formed 
there, but was soon directed by Col. Jordan, of Gen. Beauregard's 
staff, to fall back to another hill, which he designated, and there 
form at right angles with the road. I did as directed, and waited 
some time for further orders, or for the enemy to advance. A staff 
officer from Gen. Beauregard then came, and ordered the infantry 
to retire to Monterey, parallel with a road a short distance to my 
left. At a fork of the road, a portion of the command took the 
road to Meckey's. The balance proceeded to Monterey under their 
respective officers. I went to Meckey's, as did a portion of my 
staff, where I met Gen. Ruggles, and reported to him for furthei 
mstructions. He directed me to proceed the next morning with 
my command to Coi'inth, and there resume our camps, the tents of 
which had been left standing when we started for Shiloh. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 309 

It is not proper that I should close this report without bringing to 
the notice of the general commanding the names of such officers as 
made themselves conspicuous for their gallantry and efficiency in the 
field, Lieut.-col. Charles Jones, commanding the 17th regiment 
Louisiana volunteers, was wounded early in the action, and retired 
from the field. Major F. H. Clack, commanding Confederate 
Guards battalion, was ever where the conflict raged hottest, holding 
his command well in hand, cheering, encouraging and stimulating 
the men to deeds of valor and renown. Major Clack had two horses 
shot under him. Major McDowell, commanding the Florida bat- 
talion, was borne wounded from the field, before the action had 
fairly begun. The command devolved upon Capt. Poole, who bore 
himself most gallantly throughout the two days' conflict. The skill 
with which he handled his command reflected the highest credit 
upon hira as an officer, while the desperation with which his troops 
fought brings new lustre to the arms of the State they represented, 
and paints imperishable fame upon the colors they so proudly bore. 
Col. Stanley, of the 9th Texas regiment, has already been inciden- 
tally alluded to. The language of eulogy could scarcely do more 
than simple justice to the courage and determination of this officer 
and his valorous Texans. Ever in the thickest of the fight, they 
were always ready to respond to any demand upon their courage 
and endurance. Col. Reichard, commanding the 20th Louisiana 
regiment, deserves the highest commendation and praise for his in- 
defatigable valor, in leading his command wherever the foe was 
strongest. Col. Reichard's skill and efficiency as an officer are only 
excelled by his intrepidity and valor. Lieut.-col. Boyd, of the same 
regiment, did his whole duty, regardless of a painful wound in the 
arm, which he received in the first day's engagement. Major Von 
Zinker, also, performed well his part, having three horses shot under 
him during the conflict. Capt. W. L'ving Hodgson, commanding 
the 5th company, Washington Artillery, added fresh lustre to the 
fame of this already renowned corps. It was his fine practice from 
the brow of the hill overlooking the enemy's first camp, that enabled 
our infantry to rout them in the outset, thus giving confidence to 
our troops, which was never afterwards once shaken. Although 
the nature of the ground over which my infantry fought was such 
as frequently to preclude the use of artillery, yet Capt. Hodgson 
was not idle. I could he.lr of his battery, whenever artillery was 
needed. On several occasions, I witnessed the efiect which his can- 
ister and round shot produced upon the enemy's masses, and once 
saw his cannoniers stand to their pieces under a deadly fire, when 



310 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

there was no support at hand, and when to have retired wonld have 
left that part of the field to the enemy. When a full history of the bat- 
tles of Shiloh shall have been written, the heroic deeds of the Wash- 
inf^ton Artillery will illustrate one of its brighest pages, and the 
names of Hodgson and Slocomb will be held in grateful remem- 
brance by a free people, long after the sod has grown green upon 
the bloody hills of Shiloh ! 

Many other names deserve to be recorded as bright ornaments to 
the roll of the brave who fought at Shiloh, but the limits of my re- 
port, already too extended, forbid it. Where all behaved so well, I 
would prefer not to omit a name from the list, but such a course is 
impracticble at this time. I take pleasure in referring to the reports 
of the regimental commanders for more minute detail in relation to 
the battle ; and for the names of many subalterns, non-commissioned 
officers, and privates, who deserve notice and commendation for gal- 
lant conduct on the field. 

I beg leave to be permitted, in this connection, to record the 
names of my staff officers, to whom I am greatly indebted for their 
very active assistance throughout the battle. Capt. Wm. G. Barth, 
A. A. G. and Chief of Staff, rendered invaluable service in transmit- 
ting orders and making perilous reconnoissances. I was deprived 
of his services during a j)ortion of the time, by his horse being 
killed under him, the place of which he found it difficult to supply. 
Lieut. Wm. M. Davidson, aid-de-camp, was constantly by my side, 
except when absent by my orders, all of which he delivered with 
promptitude and intelligence. While engaged in this, and passing 
from one portion of the field to another, he made many narrow es- 
capes, having frequently to pass under most galling fires to reach 
his point of destination. Lieut. John W. Janes, 5th Georgia regi- 
ment, acting aid-de-camp, also rendered useful service early in the 
action of the sixth (6th), but getting cut off during the day, by some 
means, from the command, I saw nothing more of him till late in the 
evening, when he rejoined me, and remained with me till we with- 
drew from the field. Capt. HenJ'y D. Bulkley, acting brigade com- 
missary, also served on my personal staff on the occasion, and did 
good service till a minnie ball deprived him of his horse. As soon 
as he was able to supply himself again, he rejoined me and gave me 
his ready assistance. Lieut. Wm. McR. Jordan, 1st Florida regi- 
ment, temporarily attached as an acting aid-de-camp, was always at 
his post, ready to perform any service required of him. A spent 
ball striking him in the loin, compelled him to retire for a while 
from the field, but he soon returned, having received no other injury 



OFFICIAL RKPORTS OF BATTLES. Sll 

than a severe contusion, which, though painful, did not disable him. 
Capt. John T. Sibley, bi'igade quarter-master, deserves the highest 
praise for his activity and promptitude in keeping up our supply of 
ammunition during the day's fight. He was ever present, ready to 
respond to any call for this indispensable want of the soldier on the 
battle-field. lie was equally efficient in bringing off from the field 
all the ammunition not consumed, as well as his wagons, ambulances, 
mules, or other means of transportation, returning to Corinth with- 
out the loss of any. Surgeon C. B. Gamble, Brigade Medical Director, 
was indefatigable in his labors throughout both days of the battle ; 
rendering, cheerfully and promptly, his 2:)rofessional services when- 
ever and wherever needed. These were not pretermitted during the 
night of the 6th and 7th, after others, exhausted by the fatigues of the 
battle-field, had sought early repose. In the discharge of his duty, 
while endeavoring to alleviate the pains of our wounded, and to bring 
away as many of them as could be safely removed, he fell into the 
hands of the enemy after our rear guard had retired. Our army 
can illy spare, at this time, one whose private worth is so inestima- 
ble, and whose professional skill is invaluable. 

For a detailed statement of the killed, wounded, and missing of 
my command, I refer to the reports and lists transmitted, by which 
it will appear, that I took into the field an aggregate of 1,636. 
The casualties were 434, a loss of a little over 26 per cent. Among 
14 mounted officers, including my staff, eleven horses were killed 
under their riders. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

PATTON ANDERSON, 

Brigadier-general^ Com''g 2d Brigade^ 

Buggies' Division 2d Corps^ 
Army of the Mississippi. 



Report of Col. W. A. Stanley. 

Head-quaktees 9th Regiment Texas Infantry, 
Corinth, Miss., April 15, 1862. 
To Gen. P. Anderson, 

Commanding 2d Brigade^ Gen. Buggies'' Division: 
Sir : — I have the honor herewith to report the proceedings oi 
my regiment in the battle of Shiloh, on the 6th and 7th of April, 



312 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

1862, On the morning of the 6th, we advanced in line of battle 
under a heavy fire of artillery and musketry from the enemy's first 
encampment. Being ordered to charge the enemy with our bay- 
onets, we made two successive attempts, but finding, as well as our 
comrades in arms on our right and left, it almost impossible to 
withstand the heavy fire directed at our ranks, we were compelled 
to withdraw for a short time, with considerable loss. Being then 
ordered, we proceeded immediately to the support of the Washing- 
ton Artillery, which, from their battery's well directed fire, soon 
silenced the battery of the enemy. After which we immediately 
charged, routing the enemy from their first encampment, and con- 
tinued a forward double-quick march until we jDassed through two 
other encampments of the enemy, where we found our troops again 
heavily engaged with a second battery and its supports, to the 
galling fire of which my regiment was openly exposed. At this 
point my horse was shot from under me, and several of my bravest 
men were killed and wounded. We nevertheless succeeded in 
driving the enemy from their battery, killing a number and pur- 
suing the remainder a considerable distance beyond. At this point, 
the supply of ammunition in the cartridge-boxes of my men being 
exhausted, I was compelled to resort to my ammunition wagon, a 
short distance ofi", for a fresh supply. In the meantime, firing con- 
tinued incessantly on our right. We were then ordered to join the 
command in that direction, who were reported to have the enemy 
badly routed, and driving them towards their gunboats. After 
proceeding some distance, we found ourselves in the range of shell 
and shot fired from the boats and vicinity. At this point, night 
put a close to the action for the day of the 6th. We retired from 
this point to form our encampment for the night, our troops being 
more or less scattered, some having been completely exhausted 
from the fatigues of the day. We formed them in two groups, 
leaving one to encamp on the battle-field, the other near the gen- 
eral hospital. 

On the morning of the Yth, I again formed my regiment, and 
proceeded to the battle-field. After arriving there, the enemy again 
opened fire on our left. We were ordered to the support of a bat- 
tery stationed to defend that point, but our support not being 
required at the time we reached the battery, two companies of my 
regiment were deployed as skirmishers, while the remainder stood 
in line of battle in a hollow at a distance of two hundred yards 
from the breastworks of the enemy, our skirmishers returning and 
reporting the enemy advancing towards the breastworks. At thia 



OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 313 

moment the skirmishers of the enemy appeared at the breastworks, 
when we were ordered to charge them, which we did successfully, 
although under a heavy fire of both musketry and artillery, only 
one man being wounded in the charge. After their guns were 
silenced at this point, we were ordei'ed to the right, where a heavy 
fire of small arms had commenced. On reaching the scene of action 
at this point, the enemy seemed to have been routed, having ceased 
firing. 

After being halted and formed in line of battle, firing again com- 
menced on our left. We were ordered again to that point, and 
there became engaged with a strong force of the enemy's line. 
We advanced, and sustained our position for some time after the 
troops on our right and left had given way, but my regiment being 
small, and losing two among our bravest officers, Capt. J. J. Dick- 
son, of company " I," and Lieixt. Hamil, of company " F," they 
being killed at this point, with several of my men, I was compelled 
to fall back, though still keeping up our fire. We again rallied and 
formed in line, making a des^^erate struggle, causing the enemy to 
fall back for a short distance. The enemy then making a move to- 
wards our right flank, we fell back in line, taking advantage of the 
cover of some rising ground to secure them, and there remained, 
the enemy retiring towards the woods on our right. We were then 
withdrawn from the field. 

The number taken into action was two hundred and twenty-six 
(226), including officers and enlisted men. 

The number killed in action, three (3) commissioned officers and 
eleven (11) enlisted. Wounded, two (2) commissioned and forty 
(40) enlisted. Missing, eleven (11) enlisted. 

To the best of my recollection, the foregoing is a correct report of 
the proceedings of my regiment on the 6th and 7th instant. 
Very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

W. A. STANLEY, 

Colonel Commanding, 



Report of Col. S. S. Heard. 

Head-quarters IYth Louisiana Volunteers, 

April 15th, 1862. 
To W. G. Barth, 

A. A. G. General, 2d Brigade, Haggles^ Division: 
Sir : — The reason why Capt. D. W. Self, company B, did not 



314 OFFICIAIi KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

appear on the field of battle at Shiloh until the morning of thu 7th 
instant was this : That ofBcer was confined to his bed by a severe 
attack of pneumonia when the regiment left Corinth, on the 3d inst. 
He (Capt. Self), feeling himself able on the evening of the 6th to 
join his regiment, left Corinth and joined the regiment late Sunday 
evening, after the action of the 6th had closed. 

I am, general, very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

S. S. HEARD, 
Colonel commanding 1 1th La. Volunteers. 



Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Charles Jones. 

Head-quarters 17th Regiment Louisiana Volunteers, 

Camp Corinth, April 11, 1862. 
To W. G. Barth, 

Cajytain and Assistant Adjutant-general, C. S. Forces : 

Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of the part 
taken by the 17th regiment Louisiana volunteers, in the action of 
the 6th and 7th instant, near the Tennessee river. 

We were brought into action on the morning of the 6th, occupy- 
ing the extreme right of the brigade, until we were exposed to the 
enemy's artillery, where Ave remained for some time, until we were 
ordered, with a portion of the line on our right and left, to take a 
battery immediately in our front, A Tennessee regiment, the 22d, 
I think, was in front of us. We were delayed a moment by this 
regiment, when I gave the order to charge. When we reached the 
top of the hill, the enemy poured into us a murderous fire. The 
Tennessee regiment before referred to, retired by a flank through 
our lines, cutting their way through the centre of our fourth com- 
pany, separating our right from our left, and throwing us into some 
confusion. We did not retire, however, until we had poured several 
volleys into the enemy. We lost several killed and wounded in this 
charge. We retired to the foot of the hill to re-form for a second 
attack. The right wing also retired further to the right, having 
been cut ofi" from the colors by the Tennessee regiment. They 
charged the second time with, I think, the 20th Louisiana, on the 
enemy's left line of support, when the battery was secured. I 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 315 

charged with the left wing on the enemy's right, around the left of 
the hill, when I received a destructive flank fire from another of the 
enemy's batteries, as well as from his small arms. From this jposition 
we were compelled to fall back to our first. It was in this second 
charge that Capt. R. H. Curry, of company C, and Capt. W. A. 
Maddux, of company I, both fell severely wounded. 

It was now my object to unite the two wings which were acting 
separately, the right under command of Capt. Rogers, of company 
A. I foimd this impossible; and, with the left, which was much the 
larger portion, and to which the colors were attached, I advanced, 
by the left flank, to take a position about 200 yards in front. In 
accomplishing this, we had to cross a ravine, where we were exposed 
to a raking fire of shot and shell, as well as from small arms. It was 
in passing this 'ravine that my sergeant-major, Thuron Stone, who 
, had been of great service to me thus far in the action, fell at my side 
leading the column. He was shot through the thigh, though not 
dangerously. On reaching the hill, 1st Lieut. T. O. Hines, of com- 
pany K, had his left arm carried away by a cannon ball. Imme- 
diately after, I received a very severe shock and bruise by being 
thrown from my horse. He was frightened by the bursting of a 
bomb. Having recovered from my fall and secured my horse, I 
hurried on to the action. I could not find my left wing, which I 
afterwards leai'ned behaved gallantly, under command of Capt. 
Otterson, of company H. I found a portion of the right wing 
joined with the Confederate Guard and a portion of the 11th 
Louisiana. We charged upon a line of the enemy, and drove them 
from the field. We remained in this position for a considerable 
time, when Gen. Anderson arrived with the 20th Louisiana, and 
ordered the line forward. At this moment I was wounded in the 
arm by a minie ball, and retired. After having my wound dressed, 
I immediately returned to the field in search of my command. I 
fell in with Gen, Ruggles, and reported myself to him. He invited 
me to remain with him, as the action was drawing to a close. The 
enemy having retired and left us in possession of the field, and being 
unable to find more than about fifty of my command, I, with my 
adjutant, who had received a slight wound, retired with this small 
force to the ambulance depot to assist the wounded, and remain 
during the night. Our wounded suficred greatly, having nothing 
to protect them from the rain, which fell in torrents a greater por- 
tion of the night. Many of them lay that night in pools of water 
two or three inches deep. On the morning of the 7th I sent my 
adjutant on to form the regiment, or such portions of it as he could 



316 OFFICIAL REPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

find near the Big Spring. "When I came up with my small com- 
mand, I found that my adjutant had joined some other brigade 
with what number he could find. I, with what few men I had 
managed to gather together (about 200 in all), composed of strag- 
glers from different regiments, with the aid of Capt. Self, of com- 
pany B, who had now for the first time appeared upon the field, and 
some other officers, managed to form a line, and keep it in place, 
until ordered by Gen. Ruggles to advance. The general, at this 
instant, rode in front of the lines, and seizing the flag from the hands 
of the color-bearer, gallantly led them to the charge. In this charge 
he was assisted by Col. S. S. Heard. Capt. Self, of company B, fell 
severely wounded. Our forces now began to retire from the field. 
The officers and soldiers under my command, so far as came under 
my observation, behaved with much gallantry. They went into 
action on the second day, however, with much less alacrity than on 
the day previous, which I attributed to the fatigue and exposure of 
the previous day and night. 

With great respect, 

Your obedient servant, 

CHARLES JONES, 
Z4eut.-col. commanding 11th regiment Louisiana Volunteers. 



Report of Major Franklin H. Clack, 

. Head-quaetbes Confederate Guaeds Response Battalion, 
Camp neae Coeinth, Mississippi, 

April 10th, 1862. 
To Brig.-gen. Patton Andeeson, 

Commanding 2d Brigade^ Ruggles'' Division^ 2d Gh'and 
Division^ Army of the Miss.^ Camp near Corinth, Miss.: 
SiE : — I have the honor to report, that in obedience to your orders 
about 5 o'clock a. m. of the 6th instant, I drew up my command 
in column at half distance on the left of the 17th regiment Louisiana 
volunteei's, which occupied the right of your brigade, at a point dis- 
tant, as I was informed, about three miles from the enemy's nearest 
camp, and between Owl creek and Bark road, in McNairy county, 
Tenn. The position assigned the brigade at first, that of a reserve, 
to support the 1st and 2d brigades of Gen. Ruggles' division, having 
been changed, I formed my battalion in Hue of battle, under your 
orders, in the same relative position as at first, in the brigade, which 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 317 

at that time formed the left of Gen. Hardee's line. On arriving at 
the ridge nearest the enemy's first camp, owing to some accident, 
the 1 7th regiment Louisiana volunteers became for a time separated 
from my right, and the 1st Florida and the 9th Texas remained in 
their position on my left. The order was then given to advance, 
and I took up a position in a hollow immediately below a hill, on 
which was a camp of the enemy, and on the slope beyond which 
they had a battery in position. The charge was made by my bat- 
talion, supported on my right by a portion of a regiment which I 
was informed constituted a part of Gen. Polk's command. The 
enemy were being driven back with much effort, and stubbornly 
resisting, when some one in the force on the right gave the order 
to fall back, and, simultaneously, that force came rushing back, bear- 
ing my own men with them. I drew off my force to the hollow, 
from which we had charged. The second charge was successful, 
and we pursued the enemy through that and another camp, and 
were brought to a stand by discovering a considerable force of the 
enemy posted in a thick wood on a slope to our left. Having been 
separated from you, I consulted with Lieut.-col. Jones, of the 17th 
Louisiana, who, I found, had joined me on my left, and with Gen. 
Russell, and we deemed it advisable to pause. You then placed the 
brigade in line, and, if I am not mistaken in localities, led us to the 
successful attack of a camp on the left of our line. From this time, 
sir, until the close of the day, I am unable to describe the various 
localities in which you led us to the attack. We made several 
other successful charges, being ordered from one part of the field to 
others, where our services were most needed. Having bivouacked 
that night in a camp of the enemy, on the succeeding morning, at 5 
A. M., in obedience to your orders, I formed my line, and we were 
placed as a reserve. Being ordered to the left, in advance, with the 
artillery on our left, the enemy w^ere discovered in position, in our 
front, protected by log breastworks ; the order was given to charge, 
which was executed, and the enemy driven from their position. It 
was then discovered that they had a camp on the hill behind their 
breastworks, and after our flag had been planted in their camp, a 
battery, placed on a slope about 500 yai'ds to our left, opened on 
us, and you ordered us to fall back to the ravine, whence we had 
charged. The enemy still having our range, you ordered a further 
retiring beyond range. From this, to our final actions with the 
brigade, my ignorance of the geographical details of the localities 
of the battle-ground, and the numerous charges and changes made 
in our position, prevent my giving any specific details of operations, 



318 OFFICIAL KEP0KT8 OF BATTLES. 

except that I remember we were kept busy in moving and in at- 
tack. Having arrived at that camp of the enemy on the left of the 
large parade ground, you ordered an advance, to dislodge the enemy 
occupying a wood skirting the rear of this camp. I understood we 
were ordered to support an attack, to be made by quite a large 
force on our right, which I did not perceive, however. Having ad- 
vanced, and engaged the enemy, it becoming apparent they were in 
great force, you ordered us to fall back. From this time I lost 
sight of you, and my command became somewhat scattered. I suc- 
ceeded, however, in rallying them on the brow of the hill overlook- 
ing the enemy's camps, and under the personal instructions of Gen. 
Beauregard, formed line of battle, incorporating in ray command 
some fragments of the 9th Texas and 1st Florida, After futile en- 
deavors on the part of several officers, myself among the number, to 
rally a sufficent number to renew the attack, I awaited orders. 
None came, and perceiving the two lines that were drawn up, os- 
tensibly to support the advance of which we formed the right, 
diminishing by stragglers, and finally filing ofi", I drew ofi" my com- 
mand, flanking and filing to the right, immediately after troops on 
my left ; some few in number had broken from the line and filed to 
the left. Not having received any specific instructions, or orders, 
I led my command to my last encampment at this place. I regret, 
sir, that the irregular coarse of the engagement of the 6th and Vth 
instant renders it difficult for me to be specific, a difficulty made 
almost absolute by the rapidity with which you changed the posi- 
tions of your brigade, and the many points you were called on to 
attack, for while your command was intended as a reserve, I believe 
it never once occupied that jjosition, or that of a support, or any 
other force than that of an attacking force. I cannot close this 
feeble report, sir, without calling your attention to a matter which 
my sense of duty impels me to mention, the strong immediate neces- 
sity for the strictest moral and severe discipline. Had we but had 
this discipline, there would not now be an enemy's foot pressing the 
soil in the vicinity of our late battle. I am convinced that nothing 
but the daring courage exhibited by a large portion of our force 
enabled us to sustain ourselves. Deeming it a duty, also, to suggest 
any thing that, in my opinion, may tend to correct what I regard an 
evil, I must say that the volunteering system, as far as my experi- 
ence goes, is an evil, the greater, in an inverse ratio, as is the term 
of service short. Be assured, general, that we never can cope suc- 
cessfully with our foe unless we discipline our forces, and that the 
discipline necessary should be perfect. Our military organization 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 319 

can never be obtained under the volunteer system. We must have 
recourse to drafting or conscript. The scenes, sir, we both wit- 
nessed on the 6th and 7th instant, when stragglers would fall from 
their own lines, and retiring under cover of another line, fire reck- 
lessly to the front, must convince you of the justness of my remarks. 
Not in this alone, but the disorders resulting from want of proper 
discipline were numberless ; the most fatal to the consummation of 
a success so gallantly begun, being the lawless spirit of plunder and 
pillage so recklessly indulged in. While our foe throws down all 
the barriers of constitutional liberty in his career of oppression and 
invasion, we are fatally lacking in the most important element of 
resistance, not that I would imitate his example, but our laws are 
amply sufficient to correct the evil, did we but enforce them. 

I regret to be compelled to report quite a severe loss in my com- 
mand. It is as follows: five killed on the field, five mortally 
wounded, one dangerously wounded, twenty severely wounded, 
fourteen slightly wounded, and one missing ; total casualties, forty- 
five. My actual force in the field, was one hundred and forty-four 
muskets, and nine officers. To the gallant bearing of my ofiicers, 
I cannot bear too high a tribute ; ever present until disabled, they 
rendered most efficient service. 

To Assistant Quarter-master Lieut. Monheimer, is due great 
credit for the efficient manner in which he kept the battalion 
supplied with ammunition and took off the wounded. In the death 
of 1st Lieut. Macbeth, of company B, I lost a most valuable officer, 
and his country a noble and brave son. 

Capt. Macmurdo, after conducting his company through both 
days, with singular coolness and bravery, was disabled in the last 
charge by a severe contusion in the breast by a spent ball. Capt. 
Fowler and Lieuts. Hyatt and Hardie were severely wounded 
while gallantly discharging their duty. Adjutant Price and Lieuts. 
Bonner and Browne rendered very efficient service. From the 
report of Capt. Macmurdo, of company A, I desire to call your 
attention to the gallant bearing of privates Hai'ris and North, of 
his company, who, after the color-sergeant was wounded, bore the 
flag of the battalion gallantly in the front until severely wounded. 
Lieut. Price, in command of company B., mentions, with much ap- 
probation, the brave conduct of color-sergeant Doyle and private 
Cuff, of that company. 

In conclusion, sir, when I reflect, that this command had never 
been under fire before, that they were called out to meet the enemy 
after a most fatiguing march, and that they were moved from one 



820 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

portion of tlie field to another very rapidly during both days, I will 
not be thought to express myself too strongly, when I say that 
they did their duty, as officers and men, gallantly, and I may well 
say efficiently. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 

FRANKIN H. CLACK, 
Major Confederate Guards Hesponse Battalion. 



Report of Col. Augustus Reichard, commanding Twen- 
tieth regiment Louisiana Volunteers. 

Head-quarters, 20th Regiment Louisiana Volunteers, 

Camp near Corinth, April 11, 1862. 
Capt. W. G. Booth, 

A. A. A. General Id Brigade : 

Sir : — I beg leave to submit the following report in relation to 
the participation of my regiment in the battle of Shiloh, on the 
6th and 7th instants : 

I took into the field three field, five staff,, and twenty-seven com- 
pany officers, with 472 rank and file, with whom, according to the 
disposition made, I occupied the extreme left of the brigade, some- 
what in rear of the right of Col. Pond's brigade. 

Soon after the commencement of the battle, the brigade moved 
forward, and, as we approached the enemy, I was ordered to file off 
by the left, in the execution of which movement, the regiment pass- 
ing through a dense undergrowth, in which it was impossible to see 
five paces ahead, I suddenly was informed that we were separated 
from the balance of the brigade. Just at the moment, when I was 
retracing my steps to rejoin the brigade, a Tennessee regiment, in 
full retreat, broke right through my line, causing much disorder. The 
regiment, however, soon rallied, regained its position, and gallantly 
fought during the whole day, side by side with the other regiments 
of the brigade. At the last charge, towards evening, when my 
regiment was severely cut up by a cross fire from rifle-pits and a 
battery, pouring fourth a hail storm of canister, my regiment was 
separated from the rest of the brigade, and, as night set in, I led 
the remnants of the regiment to our hosjntal, where we bivouacked. 

The next morning, having collected many of my men who had 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 321 

been scattered about, I put the regiment in movement, and, adding 
whatever stragglers I could gather on the road, rej^orted to Gen. 
Beauregard for orders. He ordered me to reinforce Gen. Breckin- 
ridge, Avho found himself hard pressed on our left ; and, after re- 
porting to him, took immediate part in the fight that was going on 
before us. The enemy having fallen back, Gen, Breckinridge or- 
dered me to go to the support of a battery which had taken po- 
sition to our right beyond an open field, sweeping an open passage, 
leading, I suppose, to the river. The enemy in front having been 
dislodged, and there being no further necessity to remain with the 
battery, I moved towards the left where the fight was hardest. On 
the way I met Gen. Breckinridge, and, asking for further orders, 
he directed me to join Gen. Cheatham's brigade, but, in case I 
should not be able to find him, to join any other brigade where I 
could make myself most useful. Not finding Gen, Cheatham's bri- 
gade, and meeting my own commander, Gen. J. Patton Anderson, 
I of course joined his brigade, and kept up fighting under his com- 
mand until the order for retreat was issued. 

My regiment fought this their first battle with the utmost bra- 
very, and where, with very few exceptions, almost every one faith- 
fully performed his duty, it is almost out of place to make distinc- 
tions. I cannot, however, omit to mention 1st Lieut. Bishop, of 
company A, who, throughout both days, made himself conspicuous 
for his gallantry, and t^e cool, collected manner in which he was 
iinremittedly occupied to keep his company well in hand. Lieut.- 
col. Boyd was slightly wounded early in the first day's fight, but 
remained at his post until that evening. Major Von Zinker bravely 
led several attacks with the colors in his hand, but was disabled 
early on the second day by the fall of his horse, which was killed 
under him. The color-bearer, Sergeant Hoffmann, paid, with his 
life, the gallant manner in which he carried the colors always into 
the thickest of the fight. 

The annexed statement, A, gives a revised account of the killed, 
wounded, and missing. 

I remain, sir, your most obedient servant, 

AUGUSTUS REICHARD, 
Col, commanding 2Qth regiment La. Vols. 

21 



822 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BArfLES. 



Report of Capt. W. G. Poole. 

Ukau-CJuautkus, Fi.ouida Uaitalion, 
April 12 th, 18G2. 
To Gen. Pa'jton Andkuson, 

Jirhj.-ffcn.^ coinnunidinij 2(1 Jlrigade, Ruggles'' Divisioti: 

Gknkual: — In accordance with your circular of the 11th of this 
month, T have the honor to make the followinijf report : 

In the first i)laco, it becomes a painl"iil duty to record the fall of 
IMajor McDonald, being seriously wounded early in the action of the 
Gth, whei'cMipon the command immediately devolved upon mo. 

I'ressiuu; lorward, we sjfaiiH'd the valK^y opposite and close to the 
first camp of the enemy, and in the first charge lost several of my 
command in killed and wounded. I then joined the brigade at 
the seccmd camp, and was ordered forward to support a portion of 
om* advance colunms. The advance having fallen back, placed us 
in front, where for some time we were exposed to a galling tiro 
from the enemy. It was at this time that our battalion suttered 
most. 1st Lieut. L. M. Anderson, of company A (commanding), 
w:is shot in the forehead and instantly killed, and the company 
being without a connnander, T Ordered 2(\ Lieut. Stevens, of com- 
])ajiy 1>, to tlu^ command. In a very few minutes he was also se- 
verely wounded. I then ordered Ist Lieut. Turner, of company t), 
to take comniand. Capt. INFeans and 1st Lieut. Miller, of company 
]>, and '2d Lieut. Turner, of company C, and Lieut. ITull, command- 
ing company I, (since dead), were wounded. Several non-commis- 
sioned otlicers and ])rivates were also killed and wounded while 
\mder this fire. I then withdrew the battalion (by order) to the 
])rote('tion of a section of the Washington Artillery battery. 
Forn\ing with the brigade, we again advanced and assisted iji rout- 
ing a portion of the enemy's forces that had taken position in an 
encampment on our left. My command then, with a portion of the 
brigade, proceeded forward as far as within range of the heavy guns 
on the Teimessee river, where we were for some time exposed to 
the enemy's shells. One or two of my conunand were either killed 
or mortally wounded while under this fire. We then fell back to 
tlie enemy's camp, and bivouacked during the night. On the 
morning of the Tth, being too hoarse to take command of the bat- 
talion, I turned it over to Capt. W. C. Bird, of company C. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF TtATTLES. 823 

Awompanyinij; tlii^ report will bo fouiKl a list of llio kilU'd, 
wounded, and missing of each company — all of which is most rc- 
Bpcctfully submitted. 

W. ih 1»()()LK, 
Senior Captain^ cornvnandlmj Florida Jiattalion. 



Report of Captain Hodgson. 

• lIlCAD-QUAltTERS 6TII CoMPANY, 

BA/rrALioN Wahmington Aktillkuy. 
Camp Moouk, Coiuntit, Mrss,, April 0, 1802. 
To Brig.-gcn. Paiton Andiciison, 

Commanding 2d hri<jade^ Unggles' Division, Army Miss. : 

General : In accordance with " usage," I hereby report to you, 
the "action" of my battery in tlio battle of the 0th and 7th inst. 

My battery, consisting ttf 2 0-pounder sinooth bon^ gmis, 2 O-jxtun- 
dcr rilled guns, and 2 12 jjounder howitzers — total, piec(!S fully 
cHpiipped, with ammunition, horscis, and men, entered the field Just 
in tlie rear of the 20th Louisiana regiment (tlio right regiment of 
your brigade), on Sunday morning, the Gth inst,, on the hill, over- 
looking, from tilt! south-west, the ((tujampmcnt oftlu! (MUimy, imme- 
<liat('ly to tlu! front of it, and to the northeast, being tlu! first camp 
Jlttacked and taken by an army. 

At 7 o'clock A. M., w'l! op<Mie(l (ire on tlu^ir camp, with otn* full 
battery of six guns, firing simll and spherical cast! shot, soon silenc- 
ing one of their batteries, and filling the enemy with constcnialion. 
After liring some forty (10) rounds thus, \vt! wtirc! directed by (Jen. 
Uiiggles to sliell a camp immediatcily ui)on the left of the one just 
mentioned, and in which there was a battery, from which tlu; shot 
and shell were thrown on all sides of us. With two howitzers, and 
two rilled gnns, und(!r LieutH.'Slocunib and Vaughn, assisted by two 
])ieces from Ca{)t. Sharp's battery, wo soon silenced their guns, and 
had the extreme gratiHcation of seeing our bravo and gallant troops 
<;liarg(! through tliest! two camps, running the (Miemy Ixifort! them 
at the point of the bayonet. 

At tliis point, I lost your command, and, on the order of Gen. 
Unggles, to go where I heard the most firing, I pass(!d over the first 
camp captured, through a third, and on to a fourth, in which your 
troops wn're doing sad havoc to the enemy. I formed in battery on 
your extreme left, in the avenue of the camp, and C(Mmnvnced liring 



324 OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLES. 

with canister from four (4) guns, into the tents of the enemy, only ' 
some 50 yards off. It was at this point I suffered most. The skir- 
mishers of the enemy, lying in their tents, only a stone's throw from 
us, cut holes through their tents near the gi-ound, and with " white 
powder " or some preparation which discharged their arms without 
report, played a deadly fire in among my cannoniers, killing three 
men, wounding 7 or 8, besides killing some of my most valuable 
horses, mine among the rest. As soon as we were well formed in 
battery, and got well to work, we saw them creeping from their 
tents and making for the woods, and immediately afterwards saw 
your column charge the whole of them in ambush, and put them to 
flight. 

A visit through that portion of their camp, at a subsequent hour, 
satisfied me, from the number of the dead and the nature of their 
wounds, that my battery had done its duty. Losing you again, at 
this point, on account of the heavy brushwood through Avhich you 
charged, I was requested by Gen. Trudeau to plant two guns further 
down the avenue, say about two hundred yards off, to shell a fifth 
camp, further on, which I did, and after firing a dozen or more shell, 
had the satisfaction of seeing the cavalry charge the camp, putting 
the enemy to flight, killing many, and capturing many wounded 
prisoners. 

Being again without a commanding-general, and not knowing 
your exact position, I received and executed orders fi'om Gen. 
Hardee, and his aid. Col. Kearney, also, from Col, Chisholm, of Gea. 
Beauregard's staff, and, in fact, from other aids, whose names I do 
not know, going to points threatened and exposed, and where firing 
was continual, rendering cheerfully all the assistance I could with 
my battery, and reduced in men and horses, all fatigued and hungry. 

At about 2 o'clock p. m., at the instance of Gen. Hardee, I opened 
from the 5th camp we had entered, fired upon a sixth camp, due 
north — silencing the battery and driving the enemy from their 
tents ; — said portion of the army of the enemy were charged, and 
their battery captured, afterwards lost again, by the Guard Orleans 
and other troops on our left, under Col. Preston Pond, Jr. This 
was about the last firing of my battery on the sixth instant. Tak- 
ing the main road to Pittsburg landing, we followed on the heels 
of our men, after a retreating and badly whipped army, until with- 
in three-fourths of a mile of the Tennessee river, when the enemy 
began to shell the woods from their gunboats. Gen. Ruggles or- 
dered us back to the enemy's camp, where we bivouacked for the 
night. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 325 

I received orders, on the morning of the 7th, at about 5 and a 
half o'clock, to follow your command with my battery, and at 6 
o'clock, being ready to move, could not ascertain your position — so 
took position on the extreme right of our army, supported by the 
Crescent regiment, of Col. Pond's brigade in our rear, and an Ar- 
kansas regiment on my front, and I think the 21st Tennessee regi- 
ment on my left flank, all under Gen, Hardee, or, in fact, /le seemed 
to be the master spirit, giving all orders and seeing that they were 
properly executed. At about 9 o'clock, Gen. Breckinridge's com- 
mand on our extreme front had pushed the enemy up and ou to 
within several hundred yards of our front, when we opened fire 
with shell and shot with our full battery. After firing some 70 
rounds, we took position further on, just on the edge of the open 
space ahead, and with our full battery, assisted by two pieces of 
McCluug's battery, we poured some 60 rounds into the enemy, who 
continued to advance upon us until within some 20 yai'ds of ue, 
when Col. Marshall J. Smith, of the Crescent regiment, gallantly 
came to our rescue — charging the enemy at the point of the bay- 
onet, putting them to flight and saving our three extreme right 
pieces, which would have been captured but for them. 

It was at this point I -again met with severe losses. Lieut. Slo- 
cumb, Serg't Green, several privates, and many horses fell at this 
point, either killed or badly wounded. 

After the enemy had retreated well in the woods, I had my guns 
limbered and taken from the field. . My men broken down, my 
horses nearly all slain, ammunition out, and sponges all broken and 
gone, I was in the act of making repairs, and preparing for another 
attack, when I was ordered by Gen. Beauregard to retire, in order, 
to Monterey, which I did that evening — and afterwards to this 
point, arriving last evening, with my battery all complete, with the 
exception of three caissons, a battery wagon, and forge, which I had 
to abandon on the road for want of fresh horses to draw them in. 

At the request of Gen. Beauregard, I detailed from my command 
twelve men under a non-commissioned ofiicer, to remain and act 
with Capt. Byrne's (or Burns') battery on a prominent hill on the 
Pea Ridge road, overlooking the battle-field, to cover the retire- 
jiient of our anny. They all came in to-day, safe and sound. 

We captured two stand of United States colors, which were 
handed over to Gen. Beauregard. "We also captured several U. S. 
horses and mules, some of which we have now, others we have lost. 

I cannot close this report without again calling to your favorable 
notice the names of my Lieuts. Slocumb, Vaughn, and Chalaron. 



826 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

for their coolness and bravery on the field was daring and gallant, 
and worthy your consideration, 

I have the honor to be, 

Yours very truly. 

W. IRVING HODGSON, 

Captain^ 



Supplementary Report of Capt. Hodgson^ 

Head- QUARTERS 5th Company, 

Battalion Washington Artillery, 
Camp Moore, Corinth, Miss., April 11th, 1862. 

To Capt. G. W. Barth, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant-general: 

Captain: — I here^vith tender to you a supplemental report, in 
regard to matters connected with the battle of the 6th and 7th in- 
stant. My battery fired, during said actions, from the six guns, 
seven hundred and twenty-three rounds, mostly from the smooth- 
bore guns and howitzers, a large proportion of which was canister. 
Some of our ammunition chests being repacked from a captured 
caisson, and other canister borrowed from Capt. Robertson's bat- 
tery, which he kindly loaned. 

The badly torn wheels and carriages of my battery from minie 
balls, Avill convince any one of the close proximity to the enemy in 
which we were. I had twenty-eight (28) horses slain in the battery, 
exclusive of officers' horses. 

I cannot refrain from applauding to you the gallant actions of 
Sergeants Bartley, Blair, and Smith, Corporals O'Brien, Higgins, 
Davidson, Biggs, Spearing, and Holmes, also of privates Boyden, 
Duggan, Murphy, Bayne, Leckie, Shotwell, Jones, Salter, Mathis, 
Scott, Fahnestock, Levy, Tomlin, Johnson, Teixas, Wing, and 
Hartnett, all of whom, with the young men killed, were at their 
posts during the action, and behaved movst gallantly. Many of them, 
for the first time under fire, conducted themselves as veterans. 
I have the honor to be. 

Yours verv truly, 

W.' IRVING HODGSON, 

Captain, 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 327 

Capt. Hodgson's Report referring to Reports of the 
9th and 11th instant. 

Head-quarters 5th Company, 

Battalion Washington Artillery, 
Camp Moore., Corinth^ Miss, April I2th, 1862. 
To Capt. Wm. G. Barth, 

Acting Assistant Adj. -general : 
Captain : — Referring to my reports of the battle of the 6th and 
"/th instant, under dates of the 9th and 11th instant, I have had 
conversations with the " chiefs of sections" of my battery on the 
subject, and ascertain that there are so many of the "rank and file" 
that behaved gallantly on those occasions, that it would make too 
long a list, and be too invidious, to mention names. 

You will therefore please erase those portions of my reports which 
refer to that subject, beginning with A. Gordon Bakewell, and end- 
ing with privates Wing and Hartnett. 

By so doing, you will much obhge, 
Yours very truly, 

W. IRVING HODGSON, Captain. 



Report of Col. P. Pond, Jr., commanding Third Brigade. 

Head-quarters 3d Brigade, 
1st Division, A. M. 
Capt. R. Mason Hooe : 

Sir : — I have the honor to submit, through you, to Brig. -gen. 
Ruggles, commanding 1st division, 2d G. D. A. M., the following 
reports of the movements of the third brigade of his division, on 
Sunday and Monday, the 6th and 7th of April, 1862 : 

On the morning of the 6th, at daylight, the brigade was formed 
in the order of battle with columns doubled on the center at battal- 
ion distance, the right resting on the left of Gen. Anderson's brig- 
ade, with the left extended towards Owl creek, and covering the 
left of Gen. Hardee's line, about five hundred yards to the rear. 

At about eight o'clock an order was received from Gen. Ruggles 
to throw one regiment with one section of guns to the left towards 
Owl creek. In compliance with this order. Col. Looney's regi- 
ment, 38th Tennessee, and one section of Capt. Ketchum's battery, 



328- OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

were thrown about three-quarters of a mile to the left, and tlie po- 
sition assigned to them, covered on the front and flank with cavalry 
skirmishers. These dispositions were not quite completed, when an 
order was received from Gen. Ruggles to advance the whole of his 
line. The brigade moved forward, in double columns, over very 
difficult ground, endeavoring to preserve the proper interval between 
itself and Gen. Anderson's brigade, and, at the same time, to guard 
the flank of the line on Owl creek. After advancing some six hun- 
dred yards, the brigade was halted near some small houses, with a 
large field on the left, and also with a similar field in front. Enemy's 
skirmishers being seen towards Owl creek. Col. Looney's regiment, 
with a section of Capt. Ketchum's battery, were again sent to the 
left to the distance of three-quartei's of a mile and posted to com- 
mand the Owl creek road. Information being received from Col. 
Looney that the enemy were ambushed in his front, the Crescent 
regiment, under Col. M. J. Smith, was detached to report to Col. 
Looney, and to support him. Shortly after, an order came from 
Gen. Hardee for the left to advance. In response to this order, the 
10th and 1 8th Louisiana Volunteers, and a battalion Orleans Guards, 
advanced until they reached the line occupied by the second brig- 
ade, commanded by Gen. Anderson, which brigade was engaging 
the enemy in one of his camps, and which he was stubbornly con- 
testing. 

This camp having been carried, the whole line advanced through 
a narrow strip of woods and across a wide field until we reached 
the main and last camp of the enemy, which was not occupied — 
this camp having, apparently, been abandoned without a contest, 
as there were no evidences of any struggle having taken place 
there. As we approached this camp, a few of the enemy were seen 
on our left, who fired a few shots at us, but who were soon dis- 
persed by one shot from Capt. Ketchum's battery. When we en- 
tered the edge of the field in which this main camp was situated, 
we i^erceived the enemy in full retreat. The left of the brigade 
was immediately thrown forward, and the whole put in motion, at 
double-quick, to cut him off"; and the movement would, without 
doubt, have been successful, but' when nearly across the field a 
dreadful fire was received from our own forces on the right, killing 
and wounding several of the 18th regiment Louisiana Volunteers, 
under the command of Col. Monton. Not knowing at first from 
whence the fire was directed, and fearing that I might have passed 
some of the enemy's forces, the brigade was halted and thrown 
back about one hundred yards to the edge of the woods. Whcc 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 329 

our troops on the right advanced across the opening, this brigade ad- 
vanced on the same line, passed through the main camp, and through 
a very deep ravine beyond it. At this time we were moving a Uttle 
in advance of the front line, which was commanded by Gen. Har- 
dee. Upon reaching the crest of the hill the command encountered 
a heavy fire of grape at a distance of about four hundred yards. 
The brigade was thrown back under the cover of the hill, and 
Capt. Ketchum's battery placed in position on the hills to the rear to 
silence the enemy's battery and disorganize its infantry supports. 
While waiting for Capt. Ketchum's battery to get into position, I 
reconnoitered and discovered the enemy posted hi considerable 
numbers in a camp some two or three hundred yards to our front 
and left, and in a similar camp immediately to my front and rio-ht, 
from which the fire of the battery had been received and was still 
continued. At this time, about 4 p. m., Col. Fei-guson brought 
peremptory orders to me to charge the battery with my brigade. 
Col. Ferguson was informed that there was a battery immediately 
in front, and said he would inform Gen. Hardee, and report to me. 
Immediately after Col. Ferguson left me, the Washington Artillery 
was placed in battery to the right of the enemy's main camp, and 
made an effort to silence the enemy's battery in my front, but failed 
to do so. By orders, said by Col. Ferguson to be the orders of 
Gen. Hardee, my brigade was filed left in front up a deep ravine in 
a direction flanking the enemy's battery, and, while the head of 
column was some three hundred yards in front of the battery, by 
the direction of Col. Ferguson, speaking as for Gen, Hardee, I or- 
dered the charge. This brought my troops under the fire of the 
enemy's battery and three of his regiments in an oblique column, 
instead of line of battle, and the fire became so destructive that the 
troops recoiled under it. 

The 18th Louisiana regiment suffered severely in this charge, also 
the Orleans Guards ; the 16th Louisiana, less than either, being on 
the right, and, consequently, in what might be called the rear of 
the column. As my troops were advancing to this charge, we 
again received a severe fire from our own troops on the right, 
which, added to the fire of the enemy, almost disorganized the com- 
mand. In order to reform, we were compelled to fall back about 
one hundred and fifty yards to the enemy's main camp, where we 
were rejoined by Col. Looney, with his regiment, he having re- 
ceived orders to leave bis position on Owl creek road, and unite 
with the brigade. 

The camp on my right was subsequently abandoned by the 



330 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

enemy and occupied by our troops — the enemy withdrawing bia 
battery. I heard sharp firing from my right on that camp in which 
the 38th Tennessee was engaged before it united with the brigade. 
The camp to my left continued to be occupied in considerable force, 
and as the duty of guarding the left was placed in my hands, and 
being separated about a quarter of a mile from the forces immedi- 
ately on my right, I felt that any rash or inconsiderate advance or 
engagement of our troops might result in the exposure of my left 
and rear, and, therefore, made no attack on it. The charge made 
on the enemy's battery, by which the 1 8th regiment suffered so 
severely, was not in accordance Avith my judgment. I did it reluc- 
tantly, and in obedience to peremptory orders. If left to myself, I 
had the means of taking it, and would have taken it in twenty 
minutes after my battery had been brought into action. There was 
a wide gap between my left and Owl creek. I was alone with 
my brigade, without any thing to support my own rear on the left 
of the general line, and, therefore, felt it my duty to take every 
step with extreme caution, and to keep my force in hand to hold 
Owl creek against any and every contingency. In this I was act- 
ing in strict accordance with the plan of battle communicated to 
me by Gen. Bragg, on the evening of the 5th instant, and to this 
plan I rigidly adhered, no advice having reached me of change of 
plan. At night, after the battle ceased, acting in obedience to 
orders received through the day from a great variety of sources, I 
formed my infantry line considerably in advance of onr general 
front. I immediately fell back to this line, resting my ri^^ht on the 
main camp of the enemy, and extending my left to Owl creek, es- 
tablishing police guards round each regiment, with picket in rear 
and front, and to the left across Owl creek. My ranks weie then 
opened, and the men caused to lie down on their arms. There was 
some picket firing during the night, but nothing important de- 
veloped itself I would mention that on Sunday evening, just after 
the firing ceased, I heard cheering on the river below me, evidently 
proceeding from a large force, to which my men responded, think- 
ing it to be from their friends, and, when the cheering ceased, a 
band played the air of " Hail Columbia" from a boat that was as- 
cending the river. 

My bivouac on Sunday night was within a mile of the river, and 
within four hundred yards of the enemy's lines. During the night 
our main line was thrown back about three-quarters of a mile with- 
out the movement being communicated to me. On Monday morn- 
ing, at daylight, a sharp skirmish took place between pickets, and 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 331 

was immediately followed by a sharp engagement between my lines 
and those of the enemy. A battery was also opened against my 
right at a range of about four hundred yards. 

At this time I discovered that our main hne had fallen back, and 
that my brigade was alone in the presence of the enemy, who was 
in strong force. I regarded the position as perilous, and should, no 
doubt, have been cut off or cut to pieces, but for the cool, intrepid, 
and gallant conduct of Capt. Ketchum, who brought his battery 
into position on my right, and maintained a spirited and effective 
fire against the enemy within infantiy range, while my regiments 
were withdrawn under the lead of their respective commanders, I 
cannot speak too highly of the coolness and intrepidity of Col. 
Monton, Major Gober, Col. Loouey, and Capt. Morton, manifested 
by the orderly manner in which they withdrew their respective com- 
mands over the most difficult ground, and united themselves, with- 
out disaster, with the main line. The infantry movement left Capt. 
Ketchum's battery exposed, but, as the whole was in great peril, I 
thought it better to sacrifice the pieces than the regiments, if any 
thing had to be lost. Capt. Ketchum, however, withdrew, covered 
by the regiment of Texas Rangers, exhibiting throughout the whole 
a degree of skill and courage, which mark him as an artillery officer 
of the highest merit. In fact, the safety of my command is due to 
him. Upon reaching the main line, the left of which was at the 
enemy's first camp on the Savannah road, I was ordered by Gen. 
Ruggles to form on the extreme left, and rest my left on Owl creek. 
While proceeding to execute this order, I was ordered to move by 
the rear of the main line to support the extreme right of Gen. Har- 
dee's line. I was again ordered by Gen. Beauregard to advance 
and occupy the crest of a ridge in the edge of an old field. My 
line was just formed in this position, when Gen, Polk ordered me 
forward to support his line. While moving to the support of Gen. 
Polk, an order reached me from Gen. Beauregard to report to him, 
with my command, at his head-quarters. This was on the extreme 
left, where my brigade became engaged in the fight which continued 
until the contest between the armies finally ceased. As Gen. Rug- 
gles was present at this point, no report of particulars is aecessary. 

My command was kept once in hand through the occurrences ol 
both days, and brought off the field in as good order as it entered 
it under my immediate command. Col. Monton was wounded in 

the fight at the church, and Major was wounded in the knee, 

in the charge on the enemy's battery. 

The Crescent regiment was not seen by me during the engage- 



332 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

ment, bat I received information, from various sources, that it wag 
in the fight on the right, and served with marked gallantry and 
effect. 

Very respectfully, 

P. POND, Jr., 
Colonel commanding Brigade, 

Report of Casualties in Third Brigade, First Division. 

16th Louisiana Volunteers — Killed," 14; seriously wounded, 13; 
slightly wounded, 31 ; mortally wounded, ,5 ; missing, 27. Total, 90. 
See report. 

38th Teimessee — Killed, 7 ; seriously wounded, 17 ; slightly 
wounded, 26 ; missing, 15. Total, 65. See report. 

Orleans Guards — Killed, 17; slightly wounded, 55; missing, 18. 
Total 90. See report. 

Ketch urn's Battery — Killed, 1 ; slightly wounded, 13. Total, 14. 
Sick 23. 

18th Regiment Louisiana — Killed, 13; slightly wounded, 80; 
missing, 118. Total, 211. 

Crescent — Killed, 23 ; slightly wounded, 84 ; missing, 20. To- 
tal, 127. 

Grand total, 597. 

This is only a rough report. I will cause others to be made in 
accordance with general orders. Those reported as missing are 
occasionally coming in. 

P. POND, Jr., 
Colonel commanding 3d Brigade. 

I must call attention to the case of that gallant officer and 
soldier, Capt. Walter Grain, whose battery has been taken from 
him. I saw him fighting gallantly in the ranks with his rifle, and, 
in the engagement of Monday, he received a severe wound. If gal- 
lantry would entitle an oflicer to his command, none deserve it more 
than Capt. Grain. 



Report of Col. Alfred Monton. 

Camp near Corinth, April 12, 1862. 
To Lieut. O. O. Cobb, 

A. A. A. G., G. S. Forces : 
Sir : — Herewith I respectfully submit a report of the part taken 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 333 

by the ISth Louisiana volunteers, in the engagements of the 6th and 
and 7th instant. 

Leaving this camp at about 3 r, m., on the 3d, I reached the line 
of battle 0% the 5th, at about 5 p. m. Early on the 6th, I was 
ordered to take position, facing the enemy in an eligible location, 
and await the arrival of the balance of the brigade. I advanced 
opposite to the enemy's carap, and halted in a field about 400 yards 
distant therefrom. My skirmishers ascended the slope of the hill, 
and exchanged shots with the enemy for about fifteen minutes, 
when the latter withdrew. I then pushed forward, and perceived 
about 500 of the enemy in retreat. Anxious to intercept them, I 
rushed on at double-quick, but unfortunately, our troops on the 
right, mistook us for the enemy, owing, I presume, to the blue uni- 
form of a large number of my men, and opened on us with cannon 
and musket. This impeded my progress and brought me to a halt, 
until a staflf officer signalled to our troops to cease firing. On the 
cessation of the firing, I moved on to the camp and captured 29 
prisoners, who were placed in charge of Lieut. W. Prescott, com- 
pany K, who transferred them to Col. Eli S. Shorter, 18th Alabama, 
on receipt. But for this unfortunate occurrence, the probability is, 
I would have captured the whole number of the enemy that was 
fleeing. Here one man was killed, and Capt. Huntington, company 
H, and three privates, were wounded by the fire of our friends. 
Thence we moved onward to a deep ravine under cover from the 
enemy's shells. Notwithstanding, company F had one private 
killed and another wounded. 

Thence, about 4 p. m., I moved by the left flank through the con- 
tinxiation of the same ravine, with the view of charging the battery 
which had been continuously firing on us. Before reaching a proper 
position, and while directly in front of the battery, distant from it 
about six or seven hundred yards, I received peremptory orders to 
move up the hill and charge the battery. The order was instantly 
obeyed. About four hundred yards from the battery, my line be- 
came entirely uncovered, and thence my regiment rushed forward 
alone at double-quick, towards the battery, being all the time ex- 
posed to an incessant fire, both from the battery and its supports. 
j^ about sixty or seventy yards from the battery, which then com- 
menced moving from its position and began to retreat, the enemy 
had opposed to my regiment, then numbering about five hundred, 
three regiments of infantry, two of which kept up an incessant cross 
fire on my troops, and the third, as soon as unmasked by the bat- 
tery, also opened upon us. Thus exposed, my men falling at every 



334 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

step, being unsupported, and unable to accomplish the capture of 
the battery, or the repulse of the enemy, I was compelled to retire, 
leaving my dead and woxmded on the field. Here two hundred 
and seven officers and men fell either dead or woundei, and Lieut.- 
col. Roman and I had our horses shot under us. I must add, that, 
in my opinion, the order to charge the battery was prematurely 
given ; that is, before our troops had taken proper position to act 
effectually and support one another, otherwise, I am inclined to 
believe the battery would have been captured. 

After rallying the regiment, I moved off to the left, and took 
posstion opposite the enemy's lines, distant about three hundred 
yards, which were covered by infantry and artillery. Throwing 
out pickets to protect my line, I bivouacked for the night. By this 
time, my men were completely exhausted, as they had neither slept 
nor eaten since the evening of the 4th, and had been continually on " 
the march. On the night of the 6th, it rained almost constantly, 
and being without cover, by the morning of the 7th they were 
thoroughly drenched and worn out from lack of food and rest. At 
about half-past 6 on the 7th, the enemy, in large force, opened on us 
with cannon and musket. My troops being in fall view from the 
battery, I fell back under cover from their shells. While in this 
position, orders were received at about 8 a. m, to move to the right of 
the line. From this hour, until about half-past 1 p.m., we were con- 
stantly marching and countermarching ; the " Orleans Guards " in 
the meantime, having been attached to my command. About 2 p. m., 
we were ordered to move on the enemy, which was done without 
energy or life, by the troops, twice in succession, notwithstanding 
the noble and daring efforts of Gens. Beauregard and Bragg to lead 
them on in the face of the enemy. The fact is, the men were com- 
pletely exhausted from inanition and physical fatigue ; many drop- 
ping in the attempt to move ownward. Here I was wounded in 
the face, and three privates remained on the field, either killed or 
wounded. I was then compelled by reason of my wound to 
abandon the field. 

Thence, by order, my troops fell back, about half past 3 p. m., to a 
line a little beyond Shiloh church, and about half-past 4 p. m., they 
moved by the left flank to the rear, and reached Corinth on trie 
8th, at about 3 p. m., as I have been informed by the lieut.-col, 
then in command. 

A complete field return has already been forwarded, and I beg 
leave to call attention to the number of killed and wounded oflicers. 
Allow me to add further, that my report of this moining, exliiliits 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES, 835 

only ten officers for duty, viz. : One captain, four first lieutenants, 
and five second lieutenants. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

ALFRED MONTON, 
Col. 18th regiment Louisiana Volunteers, 



Report of Col. E. S. Shorter. 

Head-quarters, Camp of the 3d Brigade, 

Withers' Division, 2d Corps, A. M., 

Near Corinth, April 9th, 1862. 
Capt. J. B. Gumming, 

Assistant Adjutant-general : 

Sir : — Inclosed, I have the honor to submit to you a report of 
the casualties that occurred to my regiment in the great historic 
battle at Shiloh Church, on Sunday, the 6th instant. The number 
of non-commissioned officers and privates, actually engaged in the 
first battle, was only four hundred and thirteen. During this long 
continued fight of about one hour and upwards, my men nearly ex- 
hausted the fifty rounds of cartridges that had previously been dis- 
tributed to them. A considerable number of the men had none 
whatever left. By order of Gen, Jackson, after the enemy had 
been routed, and we were advancing, I sent back to the ammuni- 
tion train and procured a new supply. The regiment was actively 
engaged in all the battles during that day in which the brigade 
participated. Our loss was very heavy, to wit : twenty killed, 
eighty wounded, and twenty missing. Most of those classed among 
the missing, doubtless were taken prisoners by the enemy, as they 
were with Dr. Barnett, our surgeon, who was captured on Monday, 
while attending to the wounded. It is reported to me on good 
authority, that the enemy fired on Dr, Barnett and his party, while 
under the yellow flag, and when the surgeon was actually engaged 
in dressing the wounds of one of the enemy. 

The officers (with but one exception) and the men of the regi 
raent conducted themselves throughout the several engagements 
with much gallantry and spirit, Lieut. Rogers, who was in com 
mand of company B, abandoned his company twice, and wholly dis 



336 , OFFICIAL RKP0ET3 OF BATTLES. 

appeared from the field. He is here now in arrest, and proper 
charges will be filed against him. Lieut,-col. Holtzclaw was dan- 
gerously wounded in the first engagement, while he was gallantly 
discharging his duty. 

Respectfully, &c., . 

ELI S. SHORTER, 
Colonel 1 ^th Alabama Megiment. 



Report of Colonel R. F. Looney. 

Regimental Head-quaeters, 38th Tenjst. Regiment, 

Camp near Corinth, Miss., April 26, 1862. 
To Brigadier-General Ruggles, 

Comniandmg Division : 

General : I have the honor to report the service rendered by the 
38th Tennessee regiment, in the battle of Shiloh, on the 6th and ^th 
of April. 

Early on the morning of the 6th, we were ordered to move 
rapidly to the left as far as Owl creek, which position was promptly 
taken by the Crescent and 38th Tennessee regiments and Capt. 
Ketchum's battery. This position was held until about 11 o'clock 
A. M., when we were ordered to move to the right. Under this 
order, at a double-quick, I moved my command in the neighborhood 
of, and to the right of, Shiloh church, and in front of a battery 
which was playing upon us. We advanced as we received orders, 
filing upon the enemy as we advanced. Shortly we approached a 
camp of the enemy, only an open field intervening. To the right, 
and in advance of the camp, we discovered the enemy in consider- 
able force. We poured upon him a destructive fire, which caused 
him soon to begin to retire. Near the camp was a battery, all the 
"while Inlaying upon our forces. I received an order to charge the 
battery and camp under cover of the woods to the right, from 
Major-gen. Polk, through his son, Capt. Polk. I quickly examined 
the route as ordered, and saw the camp and battery could be 
reached, and the order carried out in eflect, with but little more 
risk by moving rapidly through the ojDen field. I ordered the 
charge, Avhich was promptly and successfully executed, as to the 
camp and battery, and I suppose at least one thousand prisoners. 
After I reached the camp, some cavalry and Col. Cummins' Teuues- 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 337 

ee regiment came up. \Ye were soon moved fUrtlier to tlie left. 
Night approached, and we lay down without fire and in the rain, 
about six hundi-ed yards from the camp of the 77th Illinois, I think. 
On the morning of the lih, at daylight, the 3d brigade of your 
division was drawn up in line of battle. Almost instantly we Avere 
fired upon by a battery brought up in the night, witliin a very short 
distance, and supported by a large force. I immediately ordered 
my regiment to fire, and three rounds were delivered at the enemy, 
with what effect I am unable to say. 

About this time our own battery in our rear opened, leaving us 
exposed to the shells of friend and foe, which caused us to take 
position to the rear of our guns. "VYe were moved quickly from one 
point to another, to the support of brigade commanders unknown, 
until about 1 1 o'clock a. m. 

A short time after this, we were ordered to Shiloh church, in the 
direction of Pittsburg and near a camp occupied by the enemy. 
After having been held by Gen. Beauregard for about fifteen 
minutes, I received an order from him through Gov. Harris, of Ten- 
nessee, to charge the camp and the enemy. My regiment was in 
the centre. There were, I suppose, two regiments on my right and 
three on the left. We drove the enemy far beyond his camp, my 
regiment being far in advance of any other troops, when we were 
ordered to retire. 

Three times did they charge the enemy and drive him from his 
position at every point. I delivered the last volley at the enemy on 
Monday, and when we were withdrawn from this part of the field, 
I found the army drawn up in beautiful order to retire. 

For a list of the killed, wounded, and missing of my regiment, I 
refer to a report heretofore furnished. 

I deem it but just and proper that I should make mention of the 
gallant bearing of the officers and men of my command. 

Capt. John C, Carter deserves the highest praise for his gi-eai 
coolness and high courage displayed throughout the entire engage- 
ment. At one time he took the flag, and urging his men forward, 
rendered me great assistance in moving forward the entire regiment. 
Capts. Cotler, Hardy, Umphleet, Thrasher, and Mayfield, for their 
gallant bearing, are entitled to great credit. They discharged their 
whole duty. 

Capt. Abington was with liis company throughout the first day of 
the battle, and conducted himself handsomely, but, being in delicate 
health, was not able .to be with his company on the 7th. 

Lieuts. Koen, March, Green, Hutchinson, Pngh, Chilcut, Ketchum, 

22 



338 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Loving, Jones, Wait, and Briggs, were at all times at their posts, 
and tlieir gallantry was worthy of the cause for which they struggled. 
With but few exceptions, the men did their duty and fought 
bravely. 

To Adj. Sanford I am greatly indebted for assistance rendered me 
throughout the entire engagement, and for his gallant bearing and 
high courage too many praises cannot be given. 

Lieut. Haller, though feeble from ill health, was with his company 
and at his post all the while, and on Monday, in the absence of his 
captain, gallantly led his men through the fight. 
Respectfully submitted. 

R. F. LOONEY, 
Colonel BSth Teiuiessee Hegiment. 



Report of Major Daniel Gober, Commanding 16th 
regiment Louisiana Volunteers. 

Head- QUARTERS 16th Louisiana Regiment, 
Camp near Corinth, Miss., 

April 26, 1862. 
To Brig.-gen. Ruggles, 

Commanding Division : 

General : I respectfully submit the following report of the oper- 
ations of the 16th regiment Louisiana volunteers, in the action at 
Siiiloh, on the 6th and 7th inst., the command of which regiment 
had devolved upon me, in consequence of the absence, on duty, of 
Lieut.- col. Mason, and the assignment to Col. Preston Pond, Jr., of 
the command of the 3d brigade, Gen. Ruggles' division. 

The extraordinary degree of sickness j^revalent in camp, and the 
absence of company B, left for guard duty at Corinth, had dimin- 
ished the effective force of the regiment, upon entering the engnge- 
ment, to 330 rank and file. 

The participation of the regiment in the action of Sunday the 6th, 
'though it was frequently exposed to the fire of the enemy during 
themorning, and was subjected to occasional losses in consequence 
of its exposure, was not perhaps suflficiently important to justify a 
special notice of its movements until in the afternoon, when a por- 
tion of the brigade, including the 16th regiment, was ordeied to 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 339 

charge one or more of the enemy's batteries, the i>osition and 
strength of which were evidently miknown or gravely misappre- 
hended. The accomplishment of this order proved to be imprac- 
ticable, and the effort to execute it resulted in our repulse, with 
considerable loss of killed and wounded. Early in the morning ot 
the Vth, the battle was renewed by the opening of one of the 
enemy's batteries upon us from a concealed point in the woods near 
the grounds upon which the regiment had bivouacked during the 
previous night. 

Having retired to a more favorable position, where line of battle 
was formed, the regiment, in conjunction with the balance of the 
brigade, was immediately moved forward to meet the advancing 
columns of the enemy. Becoming thus engaged, at an early hour 
in the morning of the 7th, the regiment continued in action and 
efficient service until the cessation of hostilities in the afternoon — 
the locality of its operations varying but little during the day. 

The withdrawal of our forces having been ordered at 4 o'clock in 
the afternoon, the regiment, in exhausted and reduced condition, 
rejoined the brigade from which it had been temporarily separated, 
and fell back in the direction of Monterey. 

For the casualties of the regiment, reference is made to the report 
of the killed, wounded, and missing, rendered in conformity with 
order No. — . 

DANIEL GOBER, 
3fajor commanding IQth La, Yolunteers. 



Report of Captain W. H. Ketchum. 

Corinth, Mississippi, 

April 15th, 1862. 
Colonel : — On Friday, 4th instant, we took up our line of march 
from Monterey, proceeding on the Savannah road, joining our brig- 
ade (Col. Pond's) from whom we had been detached for several days. 
Nothing of interest occuring this day, we encamped about five miles 
out. The next morning, taking our regular position in line, we ad- 
vanced until about 5 p. m., forming in line of battle on the extreme 
left, my battery masked by Capt. Jenkins' and Capt. Robins' cavalry 
companies. There having been some skirmishing in advance and on 
our right this day, and the enemy's camps not being more than a 



340 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

mile in our front, distinctly hearing the tattoo from their different 
camps, I deemed it prudent to keep my horses in harness all night. 
At 6 o'clock the next morning (Sunday, 6th) the battle commenced, 
and we marched steadily to the front in line of battle, holding dif- 
ferent positions as ordered, when an order reached me to })lace ray 
battery in position, commanding the approach from Owl creek, 
where it was thought the enemy would attempt to get through on 
our flank. In this position I was supported by the 38th Tennessee 
and Crescent regiments. After remaining here in position for some 
little time, two 'sections of niy battery were ordered to join Col. 
Pond immediately, who was in advance and on the right. I took 
charge of this battery of fom- pieces, leaving the 3d section, 2 pieces, 
with Lieut. Bond. On arriving where Col. Pond was with the bal- 
ance of his brigade, we commenced an advance movement again 
thi'ough the woods, swamps, and old fields, without any regard to 
roads. 

The fighting from 6 a. m. up to this time had been very severe 
on our right. And until now in an open field Ave had not experi- 
enced the whistling of the enemy's balls. And finding the enemy 
firing at us from a log-house, with a camj) in rear, we fired our 
first round, which was a shell from a howitzer, at the house, throw- 
ing it immediately in the house. This was about 10 a. m. The 
enemy leaving, we continued advancing through their deserted 
camps, until arriving at a camp where they were drawn up in lino 
of battle. Col. Pond ordered me to advance, and shell them out. 
Moving up my four pieces, I opened on them with spherical case 
and shell, gradually advancing on the camp by half battery. In a 
short time, the enemy left their camp in double-quick for the woods 
on their right. At this moment, an aid from Gen. Hardee rode up, 
ordering me with my battery to the left, where he reported the 
enemy in force. On arriving at an eminence on the road command- 
ing a camp on *he right of the one we had just shelled, we found 
the enemy in large force, and the woods in the gorge below, be- 
tween my battery and the camp, filled with sharpshooters. Some 
Texas rangers, who directed me, lost four or five of their men from 
these sharpshooters, while pointing out the enemy's position. I 
opened fire on the camp, advising the rangers to dismount and 
enter the woods as skirmishers, Avhich they nobly did, while we ef- 
fectually shelled the camp. I think this was Col. Wharton's regi- 
ment. They supported us gallantly in all our engagements Avith 
the enemy the balance of the day. Col. Pond's fine brigade Avas 
badly cut up in a charge on a battery in one of these camps, which 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 341 

I have always tlionght might have been avoided, had my battery 
not been withdrawn from the advance I was making on this camp. 
Tills same evening, we engaged one of tlie enemy's batteries, and 
silenced them after about one and a half hours' firing. Night com- 
ing on, we placed our pieces in batteiy on theJr parade ground, 
adjoining a house on the rigkt of their camp, where a number of 
our dead and wounded lay. This was at the instance of Col. Fergu- 
son, of Gen, Beauregard's staft'. On our left in the woods was our 
infantry support. Col. Pond's command, A continual firing from 
the gunboats was kept up all night. Daylight in the morning found 
our teams hitched up, our men chilled through by the cold rain, 
sleeping without tents or much covering, still most manfully and 
cheerfully did tliey man their pieces, to rejily to a battery which 
opened on us. In tliis position we fought them a half hour, and 
finding they had our range, and our situation being too much ex- 
posed, losing some of our horses, I retired about one hundred yards, 
to a position which I desired the evening previous. Here we opened 
our pieces upon them rapidly, and having good command of their 
battery, succeeded in silencing them in a little more than a half 
hour's firing, and then opened on a body of infantry which appeared 
near the position occui^ied by Col. Pond the evening previous. 
During this engagement. Col. Wharton's rangers remained on our 
right in line of battle, witnessing the duello, and ready to charge 
any elFort of the enemy to take my battery. At this time an order 
came from Col. Pond for me to fall back immediately, he being 
some distance in our rear. Limbering up, we retired, coming again 
into battery wherever we could be of service, engaging batteries 
and bodies of infantry at difterent points. And while engaged with 
a battery, we found Lieut. Bond with his section doing good execu- 
tion a short distance to our right. We now came under Gen. 
Bragg's immediate orders, and our infantry were being hard j^ressed 
by the enemy. Advancing the battery in a gallop on a road bring- 
ing us on the enemy 's left, Ave came into battery, discharging 
canister from our six pieces at a distance of forty or fifty yards, 
checking his advance, and driving them back in the thicket, our 
troops rallying again. We remained in this position, using canister 
freely, until recalled by Gen. Bragg to some other position. We 
were joined here by an officer with one piece and three or four 
cannoniers, who asked permission to join my battery, so that we 
had seven pieces in position. In this fight we lost one man and 
several wounded. One of our pieces got disabled here. The splinter 
bar broken, and the piece up to the hubs in mud, it was impossible 



342 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

to get it out. The firing from this time up to the close of the fio-lit 
■was unusually severe from musketry, and also artillery, in which 
■vve were constantly engaged. Gen. Bragg remaining with the bat- 
tery up to the last moment of the fight, and after our infantry had 
withdrawn from *the field, he ordered me to withdraw by sections, 
in good order, covering the retreat, and taking position for any ad- 
vance of the enemy. We encamped on the road that night, and 
made Corinth next evening, 8th instant, as ordered. 

My first section, commanded by First Lieut. Garrity, was man- 
aged with remarkable coolness and ability, prompt in executing all 
orders, and firing with marked precision. The gunner to his how- 
itzer. Corporal Ingalls, did great credit to himself in this respect. 
His pieces are brought back in good order. Second Lieut. Bond, 
3d section, behaved gallantly Avhen with me on Monday, which was 
our most severe fighting, and when detached from me on Sunday 
and part of Monday, the most flattering account of his section is 
given by those Avhom he was with. His guns are back in good 
order. Third Lieut. Carroll, 2d section, also behaved gallantly, 
cheering his men through the thickest of the fight. His section lost 
one piece and two caissons, which was unavoidable. 

To mention cases of individual merit might be most appropriately 
made, and could not be done without naming the whole command, 
with two or three exceptions. My loss in killed, 1 j wounded, 12. 
Horses, 15. 

Very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

WM. H. KETCHUM, 
Captain Alabama State Artillery^ company A. 
To the unremitting attention of our surgeon. Dr. John P. Barnes, 
who was Avith us on the field, and untiring in his attentions to the 
wounded, I shall ever feel grateful, and cannot say too much in his 
praise. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

WM. H. KETCHUM, 
Captain Alabama State Artillery. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 34S 



Report of Col. Marshall J. Smith. 

Head-quarters Crescent Regiment, 
Third Brigade, Ruggles' Division-, 
Camj) McPheeters\ April U, 1862. 
To Col. Preston Pond, Jr., 

Commanding 3c7 Brigade, Buggies'' Division, c£'c. ; 

Colonel : I submit, herewith, a report of the operations of my 
regiment on the 6th and "Zth instant, in the battle of Shiloh, near 
Pittsburg. 

In obedience to yoftr order, on the morning of the 6th, I took 
position with my regiment on the right of Col. Looney's 38th Ten- 
nessee regiment, the left of the latter resting on Owl creek, to guard 
the road leading to the enemy's camp, and to prevent their turning 
our left, supported by two pieces from Ketchum's battery, com- 
manded by Lieut. Philip Bond. We remained in this position until 
about 1 1-2 o'clock, p. m., when we received orders through Col. 
Beard, aid to Gen. Bragg, to come immediately to the fi-ont. We 
moved both regiments by the right flank rapidly forward, and to 
the right. My own, throwing off their blankets and all incumbran- 
ces, to facilitate their movements, passed through the enemy's 
camps, which appeared to have been the scene of severe conflict, 
towards the heavy firing in front, passing by the position occupied 
by Gen. Beauregard, who ordered us to " go forward and drive the 
enemy into Tennessee." Advancing about three hundred yards 
further, through open woods, raked by shell from the enemy's bat- 
teries, we came up with Gens. Polk, Ruggles, and Anderson. The 
enemy's battery, sustained by sharpshooters, occupied a hill to the 
right of an open field, which contained a house, a cotton pen, some 
cotton bales, &c., behind which the sharpshooters were posted in 
considerable force. After consultation. Gen. Polk directed Gen. 
Anderson to the right, and Looney's and my regiment to the left. 
I found the fire so heavy from the battery and sharpshooters, that 
in my judgment, it became prudent to drive them from this strong- 
hold, before feeling to the left, which we did by a charge, driving 
them towards their battery and from the thicket in front of it. The 
two pieces of Ketchum's battery came up and were assigned posit- 
ion by me. Lieut. Bond promptly responded to the heavy fire 
from the enemy's battery, and by his coolness and precision, in a 
short time succeeded in silencing them. I then filed my regiment 
around to the right through a heavy thicket, passing between two 



344 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

of our regimeuts, of what State, I am unable to say, and advancing 
under tlie orders of Gen. Polk, took position in front of the ene- 
my, who, retreating, had taken position behind fences and houses, 
to secure themselves from the fire of our forces, who were press- 
ing them from the front. Our flank fire caused them to break 
and run to their quarters, where we opened a heavy fire upon them, 
and filing again to a more advanced position, surrounded them, when 
the surrender of a large number took place. I myself received the 
swords of many of them, among whom were Col. Morton, 23d 
Mo., and Capt. McMichael, Acting Adj.-gen. to Gen. Smith. Gen. 
Prentiss surrendered on the same spot, some fifteen minutes after, 
not to me, because I was engaged in preventing the escape of those 
already prisoners, but, I am told, to some private of Col. Freeman's 
Tennessee regiment ! That my regiment Avas in advance of the 
others at the surx-ender, and that I was ordered to receive the sur- 
render by Gen. Polk, there is no room for doubt. A flag was 
surrendered at the same time, but beina; eno-ajxed in advancing on 
the enemy, I lost sight of it. We also captured at this place a fine 
bronze 18-pound howitzer. In the several charges incident to the 
final surrender of this camp, Ave had several brave men killed, and 
many wounded. The enemy again formed line of battle in the 
woods between the camp and Pittsburg, and Ave formed behind 
the batteries placed to oppose them, and after being shelled for 
some little time, the enemy broke, retreating towards Pittsburg. 
It is reported that the Avhite flag Avas raised at this time, which 
was not so, as the stars and stripes Avere plainly visible. After 
their retreat, the gunboats opened a most destructive fire, which 
Ave endured for some time, not being able to reply, and under or- 
ders, Ave retired in good order from the point gained, and took up 
our quarters for tlie night in one of the enemy's encampments. I 
received orders from Gen. Beauregard to be prepared for action at 
6 o'clock A. M. the next morning, the 7th inst., and to move to- 
Avards the Bark road. When near Gen. Beauregard's head-quartei*s, 
I received orders to move to the support of Gen. Chalmers, Avho 
Avas then engaged Avitli the enemy. We Avere formed in line by 
Gen. Withers, to move forward to the support of the advanced line, 
Avith the 19th Louisiana on our right. As the army advanced, the 
forces in front of us retired, and tlie Washington Artillery, Capt. 
Hodgson, forming his battery in front of us, Ave supported him. 
This battery gallantly maintained their position, dealing destruc- 
tion upon the foe, until the artillery on tlieir loft retired, leaving 
them alone. At this moment the enemy advanced in heavy force, 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 3J:5 

and the artillery properly fearing sucli odds, limbered up and filed 
off to our left. We then advanced, covering the movement of the 
artillery, saving several of their pieces, and driving the enemy 
before us. Here fell Capts, Graham and Campbell, two of my best 
and most gallant officers, and in this same charge fell, killed and 
wounded, most of the gallant spirits whose loss we now deplore. 

The enemy being again reinforced, after having been driven back, 
in order to prevent being flanked, we were forced to retire to the 
ravine. The 1st Missouri, lying under the brow of the hill, sent a 
volley into the enemy, which threw them into confusion, and ray 
regiment, rallying again, charged the enemy. Here my color ser- 
geant, Shilling, with three of the color guard, were shot down, and 
the flag was handed to Sergeant Lyons, of the Twiggs Guards, who 
bore it faithfully and fearlessly over the hill. This time, with 
another regiment on our left, we drove the enemy into a wheat field, 
and back to the undergrowth, when finding them supported by two 
regiments in ambush, we retired in good order to the ravine. Four 
times thus, we drove the enemy back, every time coming upon us 
Avith fresh troops. At about 3 o'clock, when the trooj^s were or- 
dered to retire, we did so by the orders of Gens. Hardee and 
Withers, being held, with other regiments, under command of Col. 
Wheeler of the Alabama regiment, to protect the withdrawal of 
the other troops of our army, until between five and six o'clock, p. 
M., when we proceeded to a point about three and a half miles from 
Monterey, where we encamped during the night, returning the 
next morning to this camp. My men were exhausted, and Avere 
absolutely sinking on the way from the eflfects of fatigue, want of 
food, sleep, and rest. We left the field of battle a half mile in ad- 
vance of the point where we commenced the fight, and within that 
space lay those brave men who had fallen dead and wounded, num- 
bering one hundred and seven, a detailed rei^ort of which is an- 
nexed. 

Lieut.-col. McPheeter's, Major Basworth, Capts. Hardenburg 
(Commissary), and Gribble, (Quarter-master), and Adjutant Vena- 
bles, behaved gallantly. 

Among the line officers, I have great satisfaction in mentioning 
the fqllowing as distinguished for coolness, bravery, and the faithful 
discharge of their duty : 

Company A, Lieuts, Stephens, Plandy, and Le Gay, the last two 
wounded. 

Company B, Capt. Haynes, Lieuts. Claiborne and Howell. 



846 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Company C, Lieut. Bullitt, who supplied the place of the lament- 
ed Graham, after he fell, offering to carry the colors himself. 

Company D, Lieuts. Kleslier and Forstall. 

Company E, Lieuts. Airey and Holmes. 

Company F, Capt. Austin, and Lieut. Guillett, the latter exhibit- 
ing a courage bordering on impetuosity. 

Company G, Capt. Helm, and Lieuts. Mullen, Shepperd, and En- 
derly ; Lieuts. Fisher and Perry being wounded early in the action. 

Company I, Capt. Knight, who, though wounded, I found a diffi 
culty in keeping from the field. Lieut. Field, who, supplying his 
place, conducted himself with coolness and bravery. Lieut. Seaman. 

Company K, Lieut. McDougall, supplying the place of the gallant 
Campbell. Lieuts. Garrison and Collie. 

Company L, Capt. Davidson was cool and collected. On Monday 
I was deprived of his valuable services. Lieut. Lewis well filled 
the post. Lieut. Fellows was seriously wounded. 

In regared to the conduct of the privates, there are many that 
acted Avith great gallantry and coolness. There are but two, and 
that particularly on account of their youth, whom I will mention : 
Paul Le Moncier, company B, and James Hanafy, company H. 

MARSHALL J. SMITH, 

Colonel Crescent Regiment. 



Captain Jenkins' Consolidated Report of Casualties of 
1st Battalion Alabama Cavalry. 

Camp Cavalry Battaliojc, 
Near Corinth, Miss., April 18th, 1862. 
To R. M. HooE, A. A. G. : 

A. A. General: Herewith inclosed, you find report of all of the 
captains of my battalion 1st Alabama cavalry. 
Below, number of casualties : 

Capt. Jenkins' company, no casualties ; Capt. Cox's company, 2 
men killed, 1 horse killed, 2 wounded ; Capt. Robins' company, 3 
men wounded, 2 horses killed, 2 wounded ; Capt. Tomlinson's com- 
pany, 3 men wounded, 4 horses killed, 5 wounded. Total, ^ men 
killed, 6 wounded, 1 horses killed, 9 wounded. None missing. 
I have the honor to remain, sir, 

Your obedient servant, 

T. F. JENKINS, 
Senior Captain., commanding \st Battalion Alabama Cavalry. 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 347 



Report of the action and part taken by Capt. Jenkins, 
commanding the 1st Battalion Alabama Cavalry, in 
the engagements of the 6th and 7th instant. 

Camp Cavalry Battalion, Cavalry Brigade, 

Near Corinth, Miss., Ai:»ril 18, 1862. 
To Brig.-gen. Ruggles : 

General : I herewith submit a report of the part taken by my 
company in the action of the 6th and Yth inst. On the first clay of 
the action, my company was attaclied as support to a section of Capt. 
Ketchum's battery on the left flank of Brig.-gen. Kuggles' division. 
In the afternoon of the same day, when the battery was ordered 
forward, my company, by order of Gen. Beauregard, dismounted to 
fight on foot. I advanced with the 27th regiment Tennessee, but 
did not have the gratification of exchanging shots with the enemy 
before their final retreat to the gunboats. Nothing of note occurred 
in the action of the 6th inst. 

On the morning of the 7th, I was ordered to the extreme left as 
flankers and skirmishers, and was advancing in that position when 
Major-gen. Bragg ordered me to join Col. Brewers' battalion in 
the charge upon one of the enemy's batterys on the left — but being 
ordered to retire before reaching the battery, did not succeed in its 
capture. The remainder of the day, we remained in rear of Gen. 
Ruggles' division, as support to Capt. Ketchum's battery, 2d Lieut. 
Mcintosh was attached as commander of Gen. Ruggles' body-guard 
on both days of the action. Nothing occurred deserving particular 
note. Number of men engaged on the 6th, 52 ; on the 7th, 47. No 
casualties. 

T. F. JENKINS, 
Commanding Battalion of Cavalry. 



Capt. Tomlinson's report of the Battles of the 6th 
and 7th of April. 

Camp near Corinth, Miss., 

April 18, 1862. 

My company of Alabama mounted volunteers was under command 
of Brig.-gen. Ruggles on the 6th and 7th instant, at Shiloh church. 



348 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Seven of my men, with a covpoval, were detained as couriers, under 
the immediate command of Lieut, S. Mcintosh. From the time the 
battle began to 12 o'clock, m., my command was with Gen. Rug- 
gles on tlie battle-field, and from that time until 4 o'clock I was en- 
gaged in watching the movements of the enemy on our left wing. 
The remainder of the day and also the night was under the com- 
mand of Capt. Cox. 

Monday morning I was ordered by Brig,-gen. Ruggles to form 
line of battle with a Tennessee battalion on the left. Soon orders 
came to assist in a charge with said battalion and Texas Rangers. 
The charge, from some cause, was not made, and we fell back, where 
my command remained, until ordered by Gen. Bragg to hasten to 
Coi'inth to overtake and aid the escort with the prisoners. 

I went on the field with three commissioned officers, six non-com- 
missioned officers, and forty-eight privates. In the evening, private 
George W. McCurdy was shot by the enemy through the right 
hand with a musket ball. Same evening, corporal W. D. King was 
slightly wounded in the right arm. In the morning, sergeant John 
J. Cochran was thrown from his horse and his left shoulder was dis- 
located. None missing. 

I had four horses killed and five wounded. I captured two mus- 
kets and three horses, all of which I now have, and lost five of Colt's 
pistols. 

Respectfully submitted, 

A. TOMLINSON", 
Captain Matheio's Rangers. 



Report of Captain Cox, of the action and part taken 
by his command in the battles of the 6th and 7th 
of April. 

Camp Cavalry Battaliox, neae Cokixtii, Miss., 

April 18th, 1862. 
Captain : — The cavalry company, Prattsville dragoons, of Ca])t. 
Jenkins' cavalry battalion, carried to the battle of Sliiloh, on the 
0th April, four commissioned officers, four sergeants, fuur corporals, 
one bugler, and thirty-three privates. The company, with Capt. Tora- 
linson's company, was ordered to advance with the right wing of Gen. 
Ruggles' division. After entering the first camp of the enemy, 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 349 

Capt. Tomlinson was ordered to reconnoitre the woods on the left 
of that division. My own was ordered to remain with Gen. Riig- 
gles, which was used during the day of the 6th as couriers and ral- 
lying troops. In the evening of the 6th, I was ordered by Gen. 
Ruggles to carry an order to the Texas Rangers to charge tho 
enemy, and my company to charge with them. We started for 
that purpose in columns of fours. The front columns of the Texas 
Rangers met the infantry of the enemy, and an order was given to 
retire ; the cause I do not know, but think the position of the 
enemy was such the charge could not be made. 

Monday morning, the 7th, was ordered with Gen. Ruggles ; re- 
mained with him until ordered by the General to go with Capt. 
Jenkins' company, and support a section of Ketchum's battery. 
Went for that purpose, but found the section retiring to take its 
former position. Was next ordered by Cajjt. Jenkins to go with 
his company and the Texas Rangers to charge the enemy's left 
flank. In the evening of the 7th, took position in the rear, as 
ordered, until relieved by Gen. Bragg, as a part of his body-guai-d. 

On the 6th, private John Stracker was killed while we were with 
Gen. Ruggles. 

On the morning of the 7th, Corporal Adam Clanigen was killed ; 
one horse killed, and two others had their legs broken. Took off of 
the field one horse, two muskets, one Sharpe's rifle, and six guns of 
different makes, which have been turned over to the Quarter-master 
and Ordnance Master. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

J. J. COX. 
Captain Prattsville Dragoons. 



Report of Captain Robins of the action and part taken 
by his command in the engagements of the 6th and 
7th of April. 

Near Corinth, Miss., April 18th, 1862. 

On Sunday, the Cth of April, fifteen liien of my command were 

detailed to act as couriers. Ten of them acted as couriers for Gen. 

Ruggles, and five for Gen. Pond. The balance of my command 

masked Ketchum's battery until it went into action. My command 



350 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

was then ordered by Gen. Beauregard to bring up stragglers, which 
was executed, until the enemy began the retreat. I was then ordered 
by Gen. Beauregard to report to Gen. Ruggles. After reporting to 
Gen. Ruggles, he put several hundred prisoners in ray charge, which 
he had captured. I guarded them during the night, and on Mon- 
day took them to Corinth, Miss., and put them on the cars. My 
men behaved well, and were willing and ready to obey any order 
that was given them. Three of my men were wounded, two horses 
killed, and two horses wounded. Two sabres and one Colt's navy 
pistol lost. Total number of men engaged, 13. 

J. ROBINS, 
Cornmanding Cavalry. 



REPORT OF THE EVACUATION OF JACKSON- 
VILLE. 

Col. W. G. Dilworth, Commanding. 



Head-quarters District E. axd M. Florida, 
Tallahassee, Fla. April 15, 1862. 
To Capt. T. A. "Washington, 

Assistant Adj. -gen.., Pocataligo^ S. C: 

Captain : — I have the honor to report to the commanding gen- 
eral the evacuation of Jacksonville by the enemy which was done 
on tlie 9th instant. 

When the enemy first occupied Jacksonville, and while all the 
Federal troops were retreating in confusion and disorder, I, as Col. 
3d M. F. v., ordered a part of my regiment to advance in the 
direction of Jacksonville, and took position Avithin ten miles of the 
city, with only two hundred and fifty effective men. Soon I had 
eight companies of my regiment with me. After making a thorough 
reconnoisance of the city, I became convinced that I could not 
attack the city without heavy loss, and could be driven out by the 
enemy's gunboats. 

I tlien determ'ined to commence a system of annoyance by attack- 
ing their pickets, foraging parties, &c. I made a successful attack 
on the pickets near the city of Jacksonville, killing four and taking 
three prisoners, when I was ordered to take command of the dis- 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 351 

trict. Col. Davis was then ordered to the command of the forces 
near Jaciksonville, and has most successfully carried on the system 
which I commenced, and which has resulted in their evacuation of 
the place. Col. Davis I regard as an efficient officer, and commend 
him to your favorable consideration. 

I have farther to report, that after the evacuation, the enemy 
returned with a flag of truce, and were permitted to land fifty-two 
negroes, which were taken in charge by the commander of the 
post. 

I inclose a list of prisoners taken near Jacksonville, and ask 
instructions as to what disposition will be made of them. 

I also ask permission to exchange three of them for three of ours, 
which were taken at Santa Rosa, near Pensacola, and are here on 
parole. This exchange could be made at Fernandina. 

I inclose reports of Col. Davis, reporting the capture of three 
prisoners. 

I have the honor to subscribe myself, 

Your obedient servant, 

W. G. DIL WORTH, 
Colonel commanding. 



List of Prisoners recently captured in this Department^ E. and 
31. Florida, now in confinement in these Head-quarters, Tallor 
has see, April 15, 1862. 

Corporal John E. Austin, company H., 4th N. H. Regiment. 

Private Sol. C. Burnford, " " " 

" Levi Martin, " " " 

" W. C. Woodworth, " •' " 

" Chas. A. McQuestrel, " " « 

" Geo. E. Cotton, company D, " " 

" Jas. S. Thompson, " " " 
1st Sergeant Richard Webster, company I, 9th Maine Regiment. 

Corporal James W. Bowman, " " " 

Private Isaac Whitner, " " " 

" John E. Kent, « « « 

" Andrew B. Merrell, « « « 

" Wesley Adams, « « • " 



352 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 



Report of Col. W. S. Dilworth. 

Head-qua RTEEs Pkovisioxal Forces, 
East and Middle Florida, 

Tallahassee^ A2)ril 13th, 1862. 
To Major-gen. Pemberton, 

Commanding I>e2)artment So. Ga. and Geo: 
Sir : — I have the honor to inform you tliat six Federal prisoners 
were brought into our lines near Jacksonville, on the 11th instant, 
and were, on yesterday, lodged in the jail of this city. Tiieir 
names are as follows : 

Age — 45 Ord. Serg't Richard Webstei-, company I, 9th Maine reg. 
" 28 Corp'l James W. Bowman, " " " 

" 31 Private Isaac Whitner, " " " " " 

"17 " John E. Kent, " " " " " 

" . 24 " Andrew B. Merrell, " " " " 

« 20 " Wesley Adams, '^ " " " " 

I have the honor to be, general. 

Your obedient servant, 

W. S. DILWORTH, 
Col. commanding. 
J. L, Cross, A. A. A.-gen. 



Report of Col. W. G. Dilworth. 

Head-quarters District E. and M. Fla., 

Tallahassee, Fla., April loth, 1862. 
To Capt. T. A. Washington, 

Captain and A. A.-general, Pocotaligo, S. G. : 
Captain : — I have the honor to report to the general command- 
ing this department, that the 1st cavalry regiment Florida volun- 
teers have not yet started for Tennessee, and inclose herewith re- 
port of Col. Davis as to the condition of horses, etc., etc. I also 
inclose the order of Brig.-gen. J. W. Trapier, delaying the removal of 
this regiment, for reasons specified in the order. I respectfully ask 
for instructions on the subject of the removal of this regiment to 
Tennessee. I was ordered to take command of this district on the 
1st inst., and am not responsible for the non-removal of Col. Davis' 
regiment of cavalry. 



OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLF5. 353 

Will the General commanding be pleased to instruct me on this 
subject at his earliest convenience. ' 

I have the honor to subscribe myself, 

Your obedient servant, 

W. G. DIL WORTH, 
Col. commanding. 



(Copy.) 
Order to Col. Davies. 

Head-quajiters Provisional Forces, 
Department East and Middle Florida, 

Tallahassee, March 25th, 1862. 
Special Order, N'o. 118. 

Col. Wm. G. M. Davis, 1st Florida cavalry, will proceed to camp 
Langford, with his whole command, and relieve Col. Dilworth, 3d 
R. F. v., in command of all the forces in that portion of the state, 
provided Col. Hopkins, 4th R. F. V., is not j^resent. 

As soon as the arms now en route for Lake City shall have 

arrived £Pt that point. Col. Davis will, with his regiment, proceed 

immediately to Tennessee, and report for duty to Gen, A. S. John- 

ston, C. S. A. 

******** 

By order of GEN. TRAPIER. 

R. H. Anderson, Major and A. A.-general. 

(A true copy) J. 0. A. Gerry. 



Letter from Colonel Davis, First Cavalry, with regard 
to condition of Horses, &c,, &c. 

Camp Langford, April 8th, 1862. 
Captain : — Soon after my arrival at this post, I caused an exam- 
ination to be made of the condition of the horses of the 1st regi- 
ment Florida cavalry, with a view to ascertain their fitness to be 
marched to Tennessee. I regret to say, that owing to hard service, 
want of all food for days at a time, and an entire absence of long 
forage for nearly two months, all the horses, with but few excep- 
tions, ai*e so much reduced as to be entirely unfit for any service 
which would require that they should be used continually for three 

23 



354 OFFICIAL KKPOKTS OF EATTLES. 

days. I can use them for scouting within a distance of forty or 
fifty miles, where they are not ridden more than twenty or thirty 
miles a day, and often rested. Many of them could not do any 
duty, they are so much reduced. There are at least two hundred 
that ouglit to be condemned, or put into some wild pasture. I 
think if two-thirds were sent to Paine's prairie and put to pasture, 
the other tliird would be fit for such service as would be required of 
them here. The placing of the broken down horses in pasture 
would in six weeks put them all in good condition that are capable 
of being made serviceable. A number of the horses have died, 
some have been abandoned on the various marches. From this 
statement, the Colonel will perceive that the regiment is entirely 
unfit to proceed to Tennessee as a cavalry corps. If the govern- 
ment will mount it in Tennessee, the men are well instructed and 
could render service. The horses as they are would not be worth 
what it would cost the government to feed them on the road, and 
the pay allowed for their use. As we have a complete new cavalry 
equipment, and have good men, who have learned the drill, it would 
be a matter of regret that the regiment should not be employed as 
cavalry. I am using about two hundred and fifty men as scouts, 
who are mounted on the best horses. You are aware that theie 
are two hundred and fifty horses at Camp " Mary Davis," belong 
ing to three companies now on duty here dismounted. These 
horses are all in good order, and capable of any service. Two hun- 
dred of the horses here could be put in good condition if not used 
for one month, and would be fit for service in Tennessee. If we 
condemned all the rest, we should lack, to mount the command, 
about four hundred horses. The dismissal of the horses would be 
a great hardship upon the men, unless compensation was made by 
the Government. They have been rendered unserviceable by reason 
of the inability of the govei-nment to furnish forage, and by expo- 
sure to the weather. The officers have become security for the 
men, who bought the horses on credit, and the pay now due would 
not indenmify them. I do not, therefore, recommend the con- 
demnation of the horses, unless some compensation is made tie men. 
I have the honor to request that the Colonel commanding will make 
such communication on the subject to the department as he may 
deem pro^^er, that I may receive instructions. 
I have the honor, &c., 

Your obedient serA'ant, 

W. G. M. DAVIS. 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 355 

(A Copy.) 
Report of Col. W. G. M. Davis. 

Head-quarters PKOvisioNiVL Forces, 
East Florida, 
Camp Langford^ April 12th, 1862. 
To Capt. J. S. Cross, 

Acting Assistant Adjutant-general, 

Department East and 3fiddle Florida : 
Captain : I have the honor to report, for the information of the 
Colonel commanding the department, that Capt. Wra. M. Footman, 
company F, 1st Florida cavalry, in charge of a detachment of forty 
mfen, same corps, sent by me to watch the movements of the enemy 
near Fernandina, and to repel any eflFort made to leave the island 
of Amelia for the main land, in such small parties as he might be 
able to cope with. In the execution of such orders he encountered 
two men on the railroad, who had landed from a hand car, and 
made them prisoners without resistance. In a short time after- 
wards he found a party of five men at the house of Judge O'Neal. 
One of the party offering resistance, was killed, and the rest then 
made prisoners. The whole of the prisoners were sent here by 
Capt. Footman, and I have sent them by the train to-day, under a 
guard of five men, to be delivered to you at Tallahassee. I desire 
particularly to commend the conduct of Capt. Footman, who has 
on this occasion, as he has at all times, proved himself a zealous, 
intelligent, and efficient officer. I am about to increase Capt, Foot- 
man's force to one hundred men. He will be assisted by parties of 
citizens, should he at any time need them, and I look for good news 
from him before long. He will alarm the enemy and keep them 
confined to the island. 

I remain, very respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 

W. G, M. DAVIS, 
Colonel commanding regiment. 



356 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

(A Copy.) 
Report of A. A. A.-gen. E. E. Whitner. 

Adjutant's Office, Prov. Force, East Fla., 
Camp Langfokd, April 8th, 1862. 
To Capt. J. S. Cross, 

Acting Assistant AdJ.-gen, 

Department East and Middle Florida : 
I have the honor to inform you that two men belonging to the 
Federal army were sent to this camp yesterday by Capt. Hughes, 
1st Florida cavalry, who is guarding the country between this post 
and Jacksonville, in charge of Lieut. Hughes. The men were met 
by a sergeant of Capt. Hughes' command, on the Rings road. 
They were entirely without arms, and did not seem to desire to shun 
the sergeant, but waited for him to come up, when they inquired 
the way to the plank road. The sergeant conducted them to the 
road at the point where Capt. Hughes was bivouacked. Upon 
being questioned, the men said they desired to get into our lines in 
order to be sent home on parole of honor. 
I have the honor to be, 

Your obedient servant, 

E. E. WHITNER, 
A. A. A -general^ East Florida. 



REPORT OP THE BOMBARDMENT OF FORTS 
JACKSON AND ST. PHILIP, AND THE FALL OF 
NEW ORLEANS. 

Head-quarters Department No. 1, 

Jackson, Miss., May 27, 1862. 
Gen. S. Cooper, 

Adjutant and Inspector-general^ Richmond, Va. : 

Sir : — Herewith, I have the honor to inclose my report of events 

attendant upon the fall of New Orleans. Also, the reports of Gen. 

Smith and Gen. Duncan — accompanying the latter, are a diagram of 

Forts Jackson and St. Philip — the report of Lieut.-col. Higgins and 



OFFICIAL REP0ET8 OF BATTLES. 357 

Capt. Squires, and a report of the killed and wounded at these 
points. 

Respectfully, your obedient servant, 

M. LOVELL, 
Major-gen. com.manding. 



Report of Major-gen. Lovell, commanding. 

Head-quabtees Department No. 1, 

ViCKSBUEG, 22d May, 1862. 
Gen. S. Cooper, 

Adjutant and Inspector-general, Richmond, Va. : 

Sir : — Herewith, I have the honor to transmit the reports of 
Brig.-gens. Duncan and Smith, with the accompanying documents, 
of the operations preceding and attendant upon the fall of New Or- 
leans. 

The department is fully aware, from my official correspondence 
and telegraphic dispatches, of the exact nature of the defences 
erected for the protection of that city. Consisting in general terms 
of an exterior line of forts and earthworks, intended to i:)revent the 
entrance of the armed vessels of the enemy, and an interior line in 
the immediate vicinity of the city, which was constructed almost 
entirely with reference to repelhng any attack made by land with 
infantiy. Where this line crossed the river below the city, it was 
intended to have a battery of twelve 32 and ten 42-pounders, 
which it was considered would enable us to drive back any small- 
number of ships that might succeed in passing the obstructions at 
the forts, under the fire of their guns. But, whether sufficient or 
not, no more wei'e to be had, and subsequently, at the earnest re- 
quest of the naval authorities, I transferred the 42-pounders to the 
steamers " Caroudelet" and " Bienville," for service on Lake Pon- 
chartrain, in connection with Forts Pike and Macomb. Immediately 
after I assumed command of the department, finding that there were 
no guns of the heaviest calibre, I applied to Richmond, Pensacola, 
and other points, for some 10-inch columbiads and sea coast mor- 
tars, which I considered necessary to the defence of the lower river, 
but none could be spared ; the general impression being that New 
Orleans would not be attacked by the river, and I was thei*efore* 
compelled to make the best possible defence with the guns at my 
disposal. Twelve 42-pounders were sent to Forts Jackson and St. 
Philip, together with a large additional quantity of powder, and 



358 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

being convinced that with the guns of inferior calibre mounted there 
we could not hinder steamers from passing, unless they could be 
detained for some time under the fire of the works, I pushed for- 
ward rapidly the construction of a raft, which offered a complete 
obstruction to the passage of vessels up the river, except through a 
small opening, and then only one at a time. The forts had seventy- 
five or eighty guns that could be brought successively to bear upon 
the river, were manned by garrisons of well trained artillerists, af- 
fording a double relief to each gun, and commanded by officers 
who had no superiors in any service. Under these circumstances, 
although I feared the high water in the Spring, with the accom- 
IJanying drift, would carry away the raft, yet every confidence was 
felt that the river would remain closed until such time as the iron- 
clad steamers, " Mississippi" and " Louisiana," could be finished, 
which I was confidently informed would not be later than the 1st 
of February. The first raft constructed was not carried away by 
the high water and drift until the latter part of February. But 
with funds placed at my disposal by the citizens of New Orleans, 
another was placed in position in March, by the energetic labors ot 
Col. Higgius and othei'S, and the position was again temporarily 
secure. No heavy guns had yet been received, although strenuous 
applications were made by me to get some from Pensacola, when 
that place was abandoned. The general impression of all those to 
whom I applied was, that the largest guns should be placed above 
New Orleans, not below, although I had notified the department on 
the 22d March, that in my judgment the fleet only awaited the ar- 
rival of the mortar vessels to attempt to pass up the river from 
below. By means, however, of an energetic and persevering officer. 
Major W. P. Duncan, Commissary of Subsistence, three 10-inch 
columbiads and five mortars were finally procured and brought 
over just in time to be put up as the firing commenced. Thinking 
that the enemy's troops at Isle Breton were intended to land at 
Quarantine and act in rear of Fort St. Philip, I ordered Col. Sys- 
mauski's regiment of ninety day's men, armed with shot guns, to 
that point as a protection. I had likewise organized two companies 
of sharpshooters and swamp hunters, under Capts. Mullen and Lar- 
tique, which were sent down for operation upon the enemy's vessels 
from the banks of the river, but the high water, keeping the men 
*day and night nearly waist deep in water, soon compelled them to 
abandon their positions. I will here state that every Confederate 
soldier in New Orleans, with the exception of one company, had 
been ordered to Corinth to join Gen. Beauregard, in March, 



OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES, 359 

and the city was only garrisoned by about 3,000 ninety day troops, 
— called out by the Governor, at my request,^ — of whom about 
1,200 had muskets, and the remainder shot guns of an indifferent 
description. 

The river rose rapidly in April, and soon drove out Sysmauski's 
regiment, which was removed to the west bank, about six miles 
above Fort Jackson. The whole country became one vast sheet of 
water, which rose in the forts and covered places heretofore safe 
from its encroachments. Under the tremendous pressure of this 
cun-ent and a storm of wind and rain, the second raft was broken 
away in the night of Friday, the 11th of April, two days before the 
enemy first opened fire. The fourteen vessels of Montgomery river 
defence expedition had been ordered by the department, when com- 
pleted, to be sent up to Memphis and Fort Pillow, but believing the 
danger of attack to be greater from below, I detained six of them 
at New Orleans, of which change the department was fully advised. 
At my suggestion. Gov. Moore had also fitted up two steamers, 
which were sent to the forts below the city. A large number of 
fire-rafts were also constructed and steered down, and two small 
steamers were employed for the special purpose of towing these 
rafts into position where they could be most effective, so as to leave 
the armed vessels free to operate against the enemy. I telegraphed 
Gen. Beauregard to send down the iron-clad ram Manassas, and 
when the Secretary of the Navy ordered the steamer Louisiana to 
be sent also up the river, I protested through the War Department, 
being satisfied that we required more heavy guns below. She was 
eventually permitted to go down the river on Sunday, the 20th of 
April, but not in a condition to use her motive power with effect. 

It was hoped that, notwithstanding this, she would be able to 
assume a position below Fort St. Philip, discovering the location of 
the mortar boats, and being herself proof against direct fire, dis- 
lodge the enemy with her guns, which were of very heavy calibre. 
Knowing, also, that the incessant bombardment kept Gen. Duncan 
closely confined to Fort Jackson, so that he could give no orders to 
the river defence steamers, I placed the whole under the control of 
Capt. Mitchell, the armed steamers as well as the tugs intended to 
tow down the fire-rafts. I will here state, that the river defence 
fleet proved a failure, for the very reasons set forth in my letter to 
the department of the 15th of April. Unable to govern themselves, 
and unwilling to be governed by others, their almost total want oi 
system, vigilance, and discipline, rendered them useless and helpless, 
when the enemy finally dashed upon them suddenly in a dark night. 



360 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

I regret very much that the department did not think it advisable 
to grant my request to place some competent head in charge of 
these steamers. Learning, subsequently, that the Louisiana was 
anchored above the forts and that the fire-rafts were not sent down, 
I telegraphed Capt. Mitchell, requesting him to attend to it, and 
afterwards called upon Commodore Whittle and entreated him to 
order the steamer to take the desired position below the forts. This 
he declined to do, but telegraphed Capt. Mitchell, telling him " to 
strain a point to place the vessel there, if in his judgment it was 
advisable." No change, however, was made, and in the night of 
the 23d March, I went down myself in a steamboat to urge Capt. 
Mitchell to have the Louisiana anchored in the position indicated, 
also to ascertain why the fire-rafts were not sent down. A few 
moments after the attack commenced, and the enemy succeeded in 
passing with fourteen sliips, as described in Gen. Duncan's report, 
and the battle of New Orleans, as against ships of war, was over. 
I returned at once to the city, narrowly escaping capture, and 
sfivino- orders to Gen. Smith, in command of the interior lines, to 
prepare to make all possible resistance to the enemy's fleet at the 
earth-work batteries below the town, instructed Col. Lovell to have 
several steamers ready to remove, as |p.r as possible, the commissary 
and ordnance stores, being satisfied that the low developments at 
Chalmette could ofier no protracted resistance to a powerful fleet, 
whose guns, owing to the high water, looked down upon the surface 
of the^country, and could sweep away any num ber of infantry by 
an enfilading fire. These lines, as before remarked, were intended 
mainly to repel a land attack, but in a high stage of water were 
utterly untenable by infantry against guns afloat. It having been 
reported to me that a sufiicient number of desperately bold men 
could easily be got together to board the enemy's vessels and carry 
them by assault, I awthorized Major James to seize such steamers 
as might be necessary for his purpose, and to attempt it. He called 
for one thousand men by public advertisement, but being able to 
find but about a hundred who would undertake it, he abandoned 
the project. On the morning of the 25th, the enemy's fleet ad- 
vanced upon the batteries and opened fire, which was returned with 
spirit by tlie troops as long as their powder lasted, but with little 
apparent efiect upon the enemy. The powder intended for this bat- 
tery of 32-pounders, had been transferred by me to the steamer 
Louisiana a few days before, under the supposition that it would 
render much better service from her heavy rifles and shell guns than 
with a battery of light 32's. For the operations at these works, you 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 361 

are respectfully referred to Gen. Smith's report. The greater por- 
tion of the ordnance stores, provisions, and quarantine property, 
were sent from the city by rail or steamer, and a portion of the 
volunteers also took the cars for Camp Moore, seventy-eight miles 
distant on the Jackson railroad. The greater part of the ninety 
days' troops disbanded and returned to their homes. There were 
two or three regiments and smaller bodies of men raised for Con- 
federate service, in the city at the time, but being entirely without 
arms of any kind, they could be of no service, and were also 
ordered to Camp Moore. I adopted this course, recognizing the 
perfect absurdity of confronting more than a hundred guns afloat, 
of the largest calibre, well manned and served, and looking down 
upon the city, with less than three thousand militia, mostly armed 
with indiiferent shot guns. It would, in my judgment, have been a 
wanton and criminal waste of the blood of women and children, 
without the possibility of any good result, for the enemy had only 
to anchor one of his ships at Kenner to command the Jackson rail- 
road, and he could have reduced the city to ashes at his leisure, 
without our being able to make any resistance whatever. 

Why he did he not occupy Kenner and cut off all exit from the 
the city immediately, I do not understand. Presuming that he 
would do so, as a matter of course, I had requested Capts. Poin- 
dexter and Gwathney, of the Navy, to have all the steamers ready 
in Lake Pontchartrain, to carry the troops over to Madisonville, 
whence they could reach Camp Moore. A portion of them were 
taken over by this route. Knowing that the enemy would at once 
seize the Opelousas railroad, and thus cut off the troops occupying 
the works on the coast of west Louisiana, I sent orders to the dif- 
ferent commanding oflicers at Ports Livingston, Guiorr, Quitman, 
Berwick and Chene, to destroy their guns, and taking their small 
arms, provisions and ammunition, to rejoin me at Camp Moore. 
Major Joy brought away the troops at the two latter forts, in a 
very creditable manner, but those at the other works became de- 
moralized, disbanded, and returned to 'New Orleans. I gave verbal 
instructions to Col. Fuller, to have the garrison of Forts Pike and 
Macomb, battery Bienvenu and Tower Dupre, ready to move at a 
moment's notice, as their posts were dependent on the city for pro- 
visions, and frequently for water. It was understood that the 
naval steamers, in connection with other vessels in the lake, should 
bring away these garrisons when called upon to do so, and after 
my aiTival at Camp Moore, orders were given on the 26th, to go 
for them, as I had been informed that Forts Jackson and St. Philip 



362 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

had been surrendered. Finding that this report was untrue, I im- 
mediately countermanded the orders, giving instructions that they 
should be held until further notice, but before either could reach 
Madisonville, it was reported that the whole command was already 
at Covington. I advised Capt. Poindexter to make his way to 
Mobile, with his armed steamers, but he concluded to destroy them. 
We, however, procured from them some of the guns and ordnance 
stores, which I ordered immediately to Vicksburgh, to be put in 
position there. 

On the 25th, Capt. Bayley, of the Federal Navy, demanded the sur- 
render of the city, and that the flags should be taken down, and the 
United States flag put up on the Mint, Custom-house, and other public 
buildings. 'To this demand I returned an unqualified refusal, de- 
claiming that I would not surrender the city or any portion of my 
command, but added, that feeling unwilling to subject the city to 
bombardment, and recognizing the utter impossibility of removing 
the women and children, I should withdraw my troops and turn it 
over to the civil authorities. This I did in comphance with the 
openly expressed opinion of all the prominent citizens around me — 
that it would be a useless waste of blood, without being productive 
of any beneficial results to the cause, for the trdops to remain. 
Capt. Bayley then returned to his ship, under escort through the 
city, at his own request, of two ofiicers of my stafl", Col. Lovell and 
Major James, and I then advised the Mayor not to surrender the 
city, nor to allow the flags to be taken down by any of our people, 
but to leave it to the enemy to take them down himself. This 
advice was followed by the city authorities; but the idea being held 
out, in their subsequent correspondence with the Federal ofiicers, 
that they wei'e placed in a defenceless condition, by the withdrawal 
of the troops, but for which a different course might have been 
jjursued, I promptly telegraphed to Major James, of my staff", then 
in the city, offering to return at once with my whole command, if 
the citizens felt disposed to resist to the last extremity, and remain 
with them to the end. I had deliberately made up my mind, that 
although such a step >vould be entirely indefensible, in a military 
point of view, yet if the people of New Orleans were desirous of 
signalizing their patriotism and devotion to the cause by the bom- 
bardment and burning of their city, I would return with my troops 
and not leave as long as one brick remained upon another. The 
only palliation for such an act would be that it Avould give unmis- 
takable evidence to the world that our people w^ere in deadly 
earnest. This determination, plainly expressed in my dispatches 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 8C3 

to Major James (herewith transmitted, marked A), was read by 
him to the Mayor, and also to the city council, in presence of one or 
more prominent citizens. The opinion was generally and freely 
expressed by the Mayor and others, that the troops ought not to 
return. (See report of Major James, hereunto appended, marked 
B.) I went to the city myself, however, on the night of the 28th 
of April, and in ordc* that there might be no mistake, made the 
same proposition in person to the Mayor. He said he did not think 
it advisable for the troops to return — that such a step would only 
be followed by a useless sacrifice of life, without any corresponding 
benefit, and urged decidedly that it be not done. I, however, ad- 
dressed him a letter (herewith appended, marked C,) declaring my 
willingness to return and share a bombardment with them, and 
waited until the night of the 29th for an answer, but receiving none 
in writing, returned to Camp Moore. The same proposition was 
made by me, in the course of the day, to several prominent citizens, 
but was invariably discountenanced by them. 

For a week after the withdrawal of the troops, I had a number of 
ofiicers in the city, and kept trains running regularly, which brought 
out a large amount of government property and stores, as well as 
those of the State of Louisiana. Nearly every thing was brought 
away, except the heavy guns and some property w^hich persons in 
their fright had destroyed, and every thing might have been saved, 
had not persons refused to work for my ofiicers, fearing that they 
might be subjected to punishment by the enemy. Many, also, re- 
fused to work for Confederate money, which occasioned some delay 
and difticulty in the removal of stores. I feel gratified, however, in 
being able to state that we brought away all the troops that would 
leave, and, including the property of the State, a greater amount in 
value than belonged to the government. What we failed to bring 
was from inability to get transportation. In this duty I was mainly 
assisted by Col. Lovell, Major James, Major Ball, Capt. Venables, 
and Lieut. McDonald, to whom the government is greatly indebted 
for the safety of much valuable property. It was a source of great 
distress to me, to see the result of months of toil and labor swept 
away in a few hours, but it was, in my opinion, mainly attributable 
to the following causes, which I could not by any possibility control. 

1st. The want of a suflicient number of guns of heavy calibre, 
which every exertion was made to procure, without success. 

2d. The failure, through inefllciency and want of energy of those 
who had charge of the construction of the iron-clad steamers Loui- 
siana and Mississippi, to have them completed in the time specified, 



364 OFFICIAL KEP0RT8 OF BATTLES. 

SO as to supply the place of obstructions ; and, finally, the declen- 
sion of the officers in charge of the Louisiana to allow her (though 
not entirely ready) to be placed as a battery in the position indi- 
cated by Gen. Duncan and myself. On these last points I could 
only advise and suggest, as they appertained to a separate and in- 
dependent department, over which I had no control whatever. 
(See letter of Major James, hereunto appended, marked D). Open- 
ed fire on the 13th of April, which was kept up, at intervals, for 
five days, when the mortars opened, and, from that time, with but 
a single interruption of a few hours, a bombardment was kept up 
for seven days and nights, which, for great rapidity and accuracy of 
range, has no parallel. More than twenty-five thousand shells were 
thrown, of which not less than one-third fell within the limits of 
Fort Jackson, yet the garrison held out, although wet, without 
change of clothing, and exhausted for want of rest and regular food, 
with a heroic endurance which is beyond all praise. That the enemy 
succeeded in jiassing a large portion of his fleet by the forts on a 
dark night, under a heavy tire, is due to no fault of the garrison of 
the forts. They did their whole duty, nobly and heroically, and 
had they been seconded, as they should have been by the defences 
afloat, we should not have to record the fall of New Orleans. 

To the officers of my staff, who underwent months of severe and 
arduous labor, collecting supplies, creating resources, with the most 
limited means, and preparing all sorts of materials and munitions of 
war by ingenious makeshifts, I return my thanks. Left in the city 
with a small force of badly armed militia, all opportunity for dis- 
tinction or glory was cut off, yet they never flagged in their zeal 
and devotion to the cause. When the country knows all that was 
done, and under what disadvantages it was accompUshed, I feel con- 
fident that their verdict will do ample justice to those who shared 
equally in the labors of preparation, while they were denied the 
glory of taking part in the defence. The battle for the defence of 
New Orleans was fought and lost at Forts Jackson and St. Philip. 

The exti'aordinary and remarkable conduct of the garrisons of 
these forts, in breaking out in open mutiny, after covering them- 
selves with glory by their heroic defence, is one of those strange 
anomalies for which I do not pretend to account. The facts are re- 
corded and speak for themseves. The causes will, probably, never 
be known in full. 

For the detailed accounts of the bombardment of the forts, and 
the engagements at the time of the passage of the fleets by them 
and the batteries at Chalmette, you are respectfully referred to the 



OFFICIAL EEP0KT8 OF BATTLES. 385 

accompanying reports of Gens. Duncan and Smith. There were no 
batteries except at these two points, for the reason that no guns 
could be procured to place in them. I had frequent occasion to re- 
gret that it was found impossible to give me control of the defences 
afloat as well as here. A single controlling head might have made 
all the resources more available and efficient in working out the 
desired result. 

Yery respectfully, your obedient servant, 

M. LOVELL, 
Major-gen. Commanding. 



(A.) 

* Camp Moore, April 28, 1862. 

Major James, New Orleans : 

If the people are willing to stand the result, I will bring 4,500 
men down, as soon as I can give them arms and powder, and stay 
as long as a brick remains. It is their interest I am endeavoring to 
consult, not the safety of my men, I having nothing but infantry 
and two batteries of field artillery, which would be of no use against 
ships. I will come down myself if they wish it, and bring the men 
along as fast as ready. They are newly raised regiments, and are 
being now armed and equipped as you know. Can begin to bring 
them doAvn to-morrow, if that is the desire of the citizens. Shall I 
come down myself to-night ? Will do so if I can be of any assis- 
tance, and leave Gen. Smith to complete the organization, and bring 
down the five regiments when ready. The citizens must decide as 
to the consequences. I will come if it is wished, cheerfully. 

M. LOVELL, 
Major-gen. Commanding. 



Camp Moore, April 28th, 1862. 
Major James, Kew Orleans : 

I shall start down myself with an aid now, and am perfectly 
ready, if it is the desire of the city, to hold it to the end. It is for 
them to say, not me. 

M. LOVELL, 
Major-gen. Commanding. 



366 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATfLES. 

(B.) 

Gen. M. Lovell : 

Sir : — I have the honor to report, that while I was in the city of 
New Orleans, on the 27th of April, executing your ordei's to assist 
in removing the Government and State property, and while the 
negotiations were going on between the city authorities and the 
Federal officers for the surrender, I was informed that the nature of 
the replies to the naval commander was such as to throw some cen- 
sure upon yourself, for leaving them, as the mayor styled it, without 
military protection. 

I deemed it my duty to advise you of this immediately, the result 
of which was the inclosed dispatches from you, offering to return 
with your troops, and afford them all the protection in your power, 
but that the responsibility of any results that might ensi^ must 
rest upon the citizens themselves. I read your dispatches to the 
City Council, which was then in session, in presence of Mr. Pierre 
Soule, who happened to be there at the time. That gentleman, who 
seemed to speak for the mayor and Council, most enipliatically de- 
clared that you ought not to return with your troops, as did also 
tlie mayor and members of the Council. Several of them, however, 
declared that they would be glad to have you return alone, and see 
matters for yourself, to which effect I telegraphed you. You came 
to the city that evening, with a single aid-de-camp, and went with 
me to the mayor's house, where you, in my presence, told him that 
the citizens should have no cause to say that they were obliged to 
submit for want of military protection ; that you were ready and 
willing to bring your whole command into the city within 24 hours, 
and undergo a bombardment with them, if that was their desire. 
That you had withdrawn, to enable the citizens to decide the matter 
for themselves, as it was they, and not you, who had their families 
and property at stake. In reply, the mayor earnestly declined your 
offer, stating that you had done all in your power, and that it would 
be a useless waste of life to bring the troops into the city. He also 
urged you, by all means, to retire from the city for your own safety, 
and subsequently asked me to persuade you to leave as soon as pos- 
sible, as he would be hung, if the United States authorities found 
you were at his house. 

Very respectfully, 

your obedient servant, 

L. L. JAMES, 
Volunteer A id-de-camp. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 367 



Head-quarters Dep't No. 1, New Orleans. 
Hon. John T. Monroe, 

Mayor of New Orleans : 
Sir : — When the enemy, having succeeded in passing our defences 
on the river with his fleet, anchored abreast the city, it was apparent 
that the infantry troops under my command could offer no effectual 
resistance, and their presence would only serve as a pretext and 
justification for them to open their guns upon a city crowded M'ith 
Avomen and children, whom it was impossible to remove. Under 
these circumstances, I determined at once to withdraw my troops, 
and leave it to the citizens themselves to agree upon the course of 
action to be pursued, in relation to the welfare of their families and 
property. I now beg leave to say, that if it is the determination of 
the people of the city to hold it at any and all hazards, I will return 
with my troops, and share the danger with them. That my return 
will be followed by bombardment, is, in my opinion, ceitain, but if 
that is the conclusion come to, I will afford all the protection in my 
power. 

Very respectfully, 

M. LOVELL, 
Major-gen, commanding. 



p.) 

Camp Moore, April 30, 1862. 
To Gen. M. Lovell, 

Gom,manding Department No. 1 ; 
General : — At your request, upon my return from Forts Jack- 
son and St. Philip, I accompanied you to call upon Com. Whittle, 
of the navy, at his head-quarters in New Orleans, for the purpose of 
getting that oiBcer, if possible, to place the iron-clad gunboat " Lou- 
isiana" in a position below Forts Jackson and St. Philip, from which 
she could enfilade the position of the enemy's mortar fleet, and drive 
them from it, thereby relieving the forts, for a time at least, from 
the heavy bombardment then going on, which would allow Brig.- 
gen. Duncan to make such repairs as were necessary, and what was 
equally necessary, give the garrison some rest. The position desig- 
nated for the vessel to be placed in was in an eddy upon the Fort 
St. PluUp side of the river, and under the protection of the guns of 
both forts, and entirely out of the line of the bombardment ; and, it 



368 OFFICIAL EEP0ET8 OF BATTLES. 

would require a change of position of the mortar fleet to enable them 
to strike the vessel with shell, if she could have been struck at all. 
All these facts were fully explained by yourself to Com. Whittle, 
and he was requested, by you, by all means, to place the vessel in 
said position, even if she was lost, as the maintaining the position 
then held by your troops in the forts, without this assistance, was 
merely a question of time. To this earnest appeal, upon your part, 
Com. Whittle telegraphed to Commander Mitchell, of the fleet sta- 
tioned just above the forts, "to strain a point, if in his judgment it 
was necessary^ to comply with your request, and place the Louisiana 
in the position before spoken of." As the result shows, the request 
of Com. Whittle to Commander Mitchell was not complied with. 

I make this statement voluntarily^ in order that, if ever the ques- 
tion of the defences of New Orleans should arise, that you can have 
every evidence to show that it was not certainly the want of proper 
exertions on the part of the land forces which caused the fall of 
New Orleans. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

L. L. JAMES, 
Volunteer Aid-de-camp. 



Report of Brig.-gen. J. K. Duncan, commanding Coast 

Defences. 

New Orleans, La., April 30, 1862. 
Major J. G. Pickett, 

AssH Adj''t-general^ Department No. 1, Camp Moore^ La. : 

I have the honor to submit the following report of the bombard- 
ment of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, La,, from the 16th to the 
24th of April, 1862. 

About the 27th of March, I was informed by Lieut.-col. E, Hig- 
gins, commanding Forts Jackson and St. Philip, composing a part 
of the coast defences under my command, that the enemy's fleet was 
crossing the bars, and entering the Mississippi river in force. In 
consequence, I repaired at once to that post, to assume the general 
command of the threatened attack upon New Orleans, which I had 
always anticipated would be made from that quarter. Upon my 
arrival, I found that Fort Jackson was sufiering severely from 
transpiration and backwater, occasioned by the excessive rise in the 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATfLES. 369 

rivcM', and the continued prevalence of strong easterly winds. Not- 
withstanding every eftbrt whicli could be made, the water kept 
daily increasing upon us, partly owing to the sinking of the entire 
site, and to the natural lowness of the country around it, until the 
parade-plain and casemates were very generally submei-ged to the 
depth of from three to eighteen inches. It was with the utmost 
difficulty, and only then by isolating the magazines, and by pump- 
ing day and night, that the Avater could be kept out of them. 

As the officers and men were all obliged to live in these open and 
submerged casemates, they were greatly exposed to discomfort and 
sickness, as their clothing and feet were always wet. The most of 
their clothing and blankets, besides, were lost by the fire hereinafter 
mentioned. Fort St. Philip, from the same causes, was in a similar 
condition, but to a lesser extent. 

ISTo attention having been previously paid to the repeated requi- 
sitions for guns of heavy calibre for these forts, it became necessary, 
in their present condition, to bring in and mount, and to build the 
platforms for the three 10-inch and three 8-inch columbiads, the ri- 
fled 42-pounder, and the five 10-inch sea coast mortars, recently ob- 
tained from Pensacola on the evacuation of that place, together with 
the two rifled 7-inch guns, temporarily borrowed from the naval 
authorities in New Orleans. It was also found necessary to prepare 
the old water battery to the rear of and below Fort Jackson, which 
bad never been completed, foi- the reception of a portion of these 
guns, as well as to construct mortar proof magazines and shell rooms 
within the same. 

In consequence also of the character of the expected attack by 
heavy mortars, it was deemed advisable to cover all the main maga- 
zines at both forts with sand bags to a considerable depth, to pro- 
tect them against a vertical fire. 

After great exertions, cheerfully made by both officers and men,, 
and by working the garrisons by reliefs night and day, this work 
was all accomplished by 13th of April. No sooner had the two rifled 
T-inch navy guns been placed in position, however, than orders 
arrived to dismount one of them immediately, and to send the same 
to the city at once, to be placed on board of the iron-clad steamer 
Louisiana. I strongly remonstrated against this removal, by tele- 
graph, but was informed in reply that the orders were imperative,, 
and that the gun must be sent without fail. It was accordingly 
sent, but with great difficulty, owing to the overflow and tbe other 
causes stated. The garrisons of both forts were greatly fatigued 
and worn out by these labors, performed as they were under pres- 

24 



370 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

sure, and within sight of the enemy, and owing to the many dis- 
comforts and disadvantages we were laboring under, in consequence 
of high water. In the mean time, I had called upon the general 
commanding the department, for two regiments, to be stationed at 
the quarantine buildings, six miles above the forts, to act as a reserve 
force, and to co-operate with the forts, in case of a combined land 
and water attack. I also asked for Capt. W. G. Mullen's company 
of scouts and sharpshooters, to be stationed in the woods below 
Fort Jackson, on the right bank of the river, for the purpose of 
picking oif the officers and men from the enemy's vessels, when 
assuming their several positions of attack. Capt. Mullen's company, 
of about 125 men, was sent down as requested, and stationed in part 
in the point of woods below Fort Jackson, and the remainder on 
the Fort St. Philip side, opposite the raft obstructing the river. 
The Chalraette regiment, consisting of about 500 men, Col. Sys- 
mauskie commanding, was sent to the quarantine. A part of it was 
stationed there, and company detachments were placed at the head 
of the several canals, leading from the river into the back bays of 
the same, to guard against a land force being thrown in launches 
above us. 

Four steamers of the river fleet, protected, and to a certain ex- 
tent made shot-proof with cotton bulk-heads, and prepared with 
iron prows to act as rams, viz : the Warrior, Stonewall Jackson, 
Defiance, and Resolute, commanded by Capts. Stephenson, Philips, 
McCoy, and Hooper, respectively, were sent down to report to and 
co-operate with me. The steamers Governor Moore and General 
Quitman, prepared as those before mentioned, and commanded by 
Capts. B. Keimon and A. Grant, were sent down in like manner to 
co-operate with the forts, and ram such vessels of the enemy as 
might succeed in passing. The naval authorities also sent down the 
C. S, steam ram Manassa, Capt. Warly, C. S. navy, commanding. 
;She was stationed a short distance above Fort Jackson, with her 
steam up constantly, to act against the enemy as occasion might 
otfer. Subsequently, also, Capt. F. B. Renshaw, C. S. Navy, arrived 
in command of the C. S. steamer Jackson. The raft of logs and 
chains, which had formerly been placed across the river, having 
proven a failure, upon the rise in the stream and the constant velocity 
of the drift-bearing current, a new obstruction had been placed 
across the river, opposite Fort Jackson, by Lieut.-col. E. Higgins, 
prior to his assumption of the command of the forts. This consisted 
of a line of schooners anchored at intervals, with bows up stream, 
and thorouglily chained together amidships, as well as stern and 



OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 371 

Stem. The rigging, ratlines, and caljle, were left to trail astern of 
tht;se schooners, as an additional impediment, to tangle in the pro- 
peller wheels of the enemy. This schooner raft was seriously dam- 
aged by the wind storm on the 10th and 11th of April, which 
parted the chains, scattered the schooners, and materially affected 
its character and effectiveness as an obstruction. 

In addition to the wind, the raft was also much damaged by 
allowing some of the fire barges to get loose and drift against it, 
through the cai-elessness of those having them in charge. A large 
number of these fire barges were tied to the banks above both forts, 
ready at all times to be towed into the current and against the 
enemy, for the double purpose of firing his ships, and to light up 
the river by night to insure the accuracy of our fire. My instruc- 
tions to the river fleet, under Capt. Stephenson, (see attached docu- 
ment A,) were, to be in the stream above the raft, with such boats 
as had stern guns, in order to assist the forts with their fire, in case 
the enemy should attempt the passage, as well as to turn in and 
ram, at all hazards, all such vessels as might succeed in getting above 
the raft. He was also required to take entire control of the fire- 
barges, (see attached document B,) to reconnoitre the enemy above 
the head of the passes, and to keep a watch boat below every night, 
near the point of ■v^'oods, to signal the approach of the enemy. The 
accompanying diagram will illustrate all the points referred to in 
this report. 

The same instructions were given to Capts. Kennon and Grant, 
and, upon his arrival, Capt. Renshaw was duly informed of the ar- 
rfmg(;nients made, in which he promised heartily to co-oi^erate. 
While the enemy remained at the Head of the Passes, twenty-two 
and a half miles below the forts, and, subsequently, when he came 
up to the Jump, or Wilder's Bayou, the boats of the river fleet took 
turns in running down and watching his movements. For a few 
nights, also, at tliis time, one of them was kept below as a guard 
boat. We had telegraphic communication, besides, down to within 
half a mile of the Jumps, nine miles below the forts, which, together 
with scouts operating in the bays to the east and west of the river, 
in skiffs and perogues, kept us duly posted, meanwhile, of the ene- 
my's movements below as far down as the South-west Pass. The 
enemy was not, meanwhile, idle in the interim. His large vessels 
were worked over the South-west bar, after failing to make an en- 
trance at Pass a I'Outre, and the mortar fleet was brought up as far 
as the S. W. Pilot Station, where the mortars were scaled and 
afterwards tested. From seven to thirteen steam sloops of war and 



372 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

gunboats were constantly kept at the Head of the Passes or at the 
Jump, to cover his operations below, and to prevent our observing 
his movements by way of the river. By gradual and regular ap- 
proaches, he carefully closed up the forts, day by day, and opened 
the attack as hereinafter detailed. 

April 9. One of our reconnoitring steamers was chased and fol- 
lowed up by two of the enemy's gunboats as far as the point of 
woods below Fort Jackson, but were soon forced to retire by a few 
shots from our batteries. This was his first reconnoissance, and our 
fire was not returned. 

April 13. Several of the hostile gunboats again came up to make 
observations. They would occasionally show themselves, singly or 
in pairs, above the point of woods, and exchange a few shots with 
the forts, and then retire again behind the point. Our sharpshooters 
obtained a few shots on this occasion, but with very partial result, 
owing to the lowness of the surrounduig country and the extreme 
rise in the river. Many of the men were up to their Avaists in water, 
and, in consequence, sickness prevailed among them, and unfitted 
them for duty. 

The enemy spent the principal part of the day in firing grape and 
canister, and in shelling the woods to drive them out. This was 
rejjeated the following day, the enemy not coming within range or 
sight of the forts, but confining himself to shelliffg the woods below. 
The sharpshooters were all driven out by this second day's firing. 
Our telegraphic communication below was also broken up, as the 
wires were removed and many of the posts cut and' torn down by 
the enemy. 

There being no other point, above or below, where the sharp- 
shooters could profitably act in that capacity, and as many of them 
were unfit for duty from exposure, I deemed it advisable to dispense 
with their services and send them to the city, which was accordingly 
done. 

It being of the highest importance, however, to keep up the tele- 
graphic communication below, Lieut. T. J. Royster's company, sap- 
pers and miners, 22d regiment Louisiana volunteers, volunteered his 
services with fifteen men of his company, to act as sharpshooters in 
perogues, and cover the operator in repairing the line and re-estab- 
lishing the connection with the forts above, as well as to annoy the 
enemy. This also failed, from the great difficulty of managing the 
perogues effectively in the dense undergrowth of the swampy woods 
below, and the telegraph and the sharpshooters had to be abandoned 
in consequence. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 6i6 

April 15. Tlie enemy broup;ht w\) his whole fleet, extending the 
same from the Head of the Passes to the Point of Woods below 
the forts. Orders were repeatedly given to Capt. Stephenson, of 
the river fleet, to cause the fire-barges to be sent down nightly upon 
the enemy ; but every attempt seemed to prove a perfect abortion, 
the barges being cut adrift too soon, so that they drifted against the 
banks directly under the forts, firing our wharves and lighting us up, 
but obscuring the position of the enemy. In consequence, I turned 
the control of them, as well as the boats employed to tow them into 
the stream, over to Cai)t, Renshaw, the senior naval oflicer present. 
I also dii-ected Capts. Kennon and Grant to report to him for orders, 
as I found great difficulty in communicating with or controlling the 
vessels afloat, and directed Capt. Stephenson, with his fonr boats, to 
co-operate with Capt. Renshaw in every jDossible way. These boats 
of the river fleet, it seemed, could not be turned over directly to the 
immediate command of naval officers, owing to certain conditions 
imposed by the Navy Department. 

April 16. From half-past seven o'clock a. m., the enemy's gun- 
boats came round the point repeatedly for observation, but were in- 
variably forced to retire by our fire. In the mean time, he was 
locating the i>osition of the mortar flotilla, composed of twenty-one 
schooners, each mounting one 13-inch mortar and other guns, close 
against the bank on the Fort Jackson side, and behind the point of 
woods. At half-past four o'clock p. m., the*enemy ran out a gunboat 
and fired upon the fort, under cover of which two mortar boats were 
brought out into the stream. These boats opened fire upon Fort 
Jackson at five p. m., Ayhich was continued for an hour and a half, 
the enemy, under our fire, retiring behind the point of woods. 

One fire-barge sent down successfully against the enemy at four 
o'clock A. M., which drifted in among his vessels and Avas fired upon 
by them, creating considerable movement and perturbation. During 
the day, Capts. Renshaw, Kennon, Scant, Stephenson, and Hooper, 
passed in turns with their boats below the raft, now very much dis- 
connected and scattered, and exchanged a few shots with the hostile 
gunboats and mortar-boats. * 

Two more abortive attempts were made to send down fire-barges 
against the enemy during the night, 

April 18, At 9 o'clock a.m., the enemy opened upon Fort Jack- 
son with his entire mortar-fleet of twenty-one vessels, and with I'ifled 
guns from his gunboats. Fifteen of them were concealed behind 
the point of woods, and the other six hauled out in the stream at an 
ungle with them (see diagram), just at the extreme range of our 



uii OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

heaviest guns. Our fire disabled one gunboat and one mortar-boat, 
causing tljose in the stream to retire behind the cover of the woods. 
Generally our shots fell short for lack of elevation, and ia conse- 
quence of the inferiority of our powder compared to that of the 
enemy. Even our nearest gun — a 10-inch sea-coast mortar — would 
not reach his boats with the heaviest charges. The enemy ceased 
firing at seven o'clock p. m., having fired this day 2,997 mortar 
shells. 

The quarters in the bastions were fired and burned down early in 
the day, as well as the quarters immediately without the foil. The 
citadel was set on fire and extinguished several times during the 
first part of the day, but later it became impossible to put out the 
flames, so that when the enemy ceased fii-ing, it was one burning 
mass, greatly endangering the magazines, which, at the time, were 
reported to be on fire. Many of the men, and most of the officers, 
lost their bedding and clothing by these fires, which greatly added 
to the discomforts of the overflow. The mortar fire was accurate 
and terrible, many of the shells fiilling everywhere within the fort, 
and disabling some of our best guns. I endeavored to get the naval 
forces to carry down fire-barges against the enemy so as to disperse 
it, but they were all let go above the raft, and with such a lack of 
judgment, that they only lodged under the forts, and did not reach 
the enemy, 

(See attached document C.) 

None of the boats acted as a guard-boat below the raft at night, 
so that in consequence, the enemy sent up two launches to examine 
the character of the raft obstructing the river, 

April 19th. The moitar fleet again opened at 6 and a half o'clock 
A, M., and the fire was constantly kept up throughout the day. Gun- 
boats constantly came above the point during the day to engage the 
forts, but were as constantly driven back by our fire. One of them 
we crippled, which was towed behind the point of woods. The 
enemy's fire was excellent, a large proportion O'f his shells falling 
within Fort Jackson, The terre-plein, parade-plain, parapets, and 
platforms were very much cut up, as well as much damage done to 
the casemates. The magazines were considerably tlireatened, and 
one shell passed thi-ough into the casemates containing fixed ammu- 
nition. One 10-inch and one 8-inch columbiad, one 32 and one 24- 
jiounder, and one 10-inch siege mortar, disabled in the main work. 
Also, two 02-pounders in the water battery. 

Bombardment continued very regularly and accurately all night. 
Failures asraia made in sendinii' down fire baro-es. 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 375 

April 20. Some rain in the morning. Bombardment constant 
throughout tlie day with occasional shots from the gunboats around 
the i:)oint. Wind very high. No fire-baf-ges sent down to light up 
the river or distract the attention of the enemy at night. In conse- 
quence, between 11 «and 12 o'clock p. m., under cover of the heaviest 
shelling during the bombardment thus far, one of the enemy's gun- 
boats came up in the darkness and attempted to cut the chains of 
the raft and drag ofi* the schooners. A heavy fire was opened upon 
her, which caused her to retire, but not until she had partially ac- 
complished her purpose. The raft after this could not be regarded 
as an obstruction. The fire continued uninterruptedly all night. 

April 21st. Firing continued all day and all night Avithout inter- 
ruiDtion.* Several guns disabled. Disabled guns were repaired, as 
far as practicable, as often as accidents happened to them or their 
platforms. Fort Jackson by this time was in need of extensive re- 
pairs almost everywhere, and it was with extreme pleasure that we 
learned of the arrival, during the night, of the iron-clad steamer 
Louisiana, under the cover of w^hose heavy guns we expected to make 
the necessary repairs. 

April 22d. By the direction qf the major-general commanding 
the department, every thing afloat, including the towboats, and the 
entire control of the fire-barges, was turned over to Capt. John K. 
Mitchell, C. S. Navy, commanding the C. S. Naval Forces, Lower 
"Mississippi river. I also gave Capt. Mitchell one hundred and fifty 
of our best men from Forts Jackson and St. Philip, under Lieuts. 
Dixon and Gandy, and Capt. Ryan, to serve a portion of the guns 
of the Louisiana, and to act as sharpshooters on the same vessel. 
In an interview wdth Capt. Mitchell, on the morning of this date, I 
learned that the motive power of the Louisiana was not likely to be 
completed within any reasonable time, and that in consequence it 
was not within the range of probabilities that she could be regarded 
as an aggressive steamer, or that she could be brought into the 
pending action in that character. As an iron-clad, invulnerable 
floating-battery, with sixteen guns of the heaviest calibre, however, 
she was then as complete as she would ever be. Fort Jackson had 
already undergone, and was still subjected to, a terrible fire of 13- 
inch mortar shells, Avhich it was necessary to relieve at once, to 
prevent the disabling of all the best guns at that fort. And although 
Fort St. Philip partially opened out the point of woods concealing 
the enemy, and gallantly attempted to dislodge him or draw his fire, 
he nevertheless doggedly jjersisted in his one main object, of bat- 
tering Fort Jackson. Under these circumstances I considered that 



376 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

the Louisiana could only be regarded as a battery, and that her best 
possible position would be below the raft, close in on the Fort St, 
Philip's shore, where her fire could dislodge the mortar boats from 
behind the point of woods, and give sufficient respite to Fort Jack- 
son to repair in extenso. This position (X on the accompanying 
diagram), would give us three direct and cross-fires upon the enemy's 
approaches, and at the same time insure the Louisiana from a direct 
assault, as she would be immediately under the guns of both forts. 
Accordingly, I earnestly and strongly urged these views upon Capt. 
Mitchell, in a letter of this date (copy lost), but without avail, as 
will be seen by his reply attached as document D. 

Being so deeply impressed myself Avith the importance of this 
position for the Louisiana, and of the necessity of prompt action, in 
order to insure the success of the impending struggle, I again urged 
this subject upon Capt. Mitchell during the latter part of the same 
day, as absolutely indispensable and imperative to the safety of Xew 
Orleans, and to the control of the lower Mississippi. My eflTorts were 
ineflfectual to get him to move the boat from her original position 
above the forts. His reply is attached as document E, in which he 
is sustained by all the naval officers present having the command 
of vessels. I also addressed Iiim two other notes through the day, 
the one in regard to sending fire-barges against the enemy, and the 
other relative to keeping a vigilant look out from all his vessels, and 
asking for co-operation, should the enemy attempt to pass during the. 
night. (See attached document F.) 

Bombardment continued during the day and night, being at times 
very heavy. During the day our fire was principally confined to 
shelling the point of woods from both forts, and with a})parently 
good results, as the mortar-fire Avas slackened towards evening. The 
casemates were very much cut up by the enemy's fire, which was 
increased at night. There was little or no success in sending down 
fii'e-barges, as usual, owing in part to the condition of the towboats 
Mosher, Music, and Belle Algerine, in charge of the same, explained 
by attached document G. This does not excuse the neglect, how- 
ever, as thei-e were six boats of the river fleet available for this ser- 
vice, independent of those alluded to, and fire-barges were plentiful. 

April 23d. The day broke warm, clear, and cloudless. No im- 
mediate relief being looked for from our fleet, the entire command 
was turned out to repair damages under a very heavy fire of the 
enemy. 

The bombardment continued, without intermission, throughout 
the day, but slackened off about 12 o'clock ii., at whicli hour there 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 377 

was every indication of an exhaustion on the part of the mortar 
flotilla. Hence it became evident that the tactics of the enemy 
would necessarily be changed into an attack with broadsides by his 
larger vessels. In consequence, these views were laid before Capt. 
Mitchell, and he was again urged to place the Louisiana at the point 
before mentioned, below the raft and near the Foi-t St. Philip bank 
of the river, to meet the emergency. (See attached document H.) 
Capt. Mitchell's reply is attached in documents E, I, J, and K, 
wherein he positively declines again to assume the only position 
which offered us every possible chance of success, and Capts. Mcin- 
tosh, Huger, and Warly sustain Capt. Mitchell in his views of the 
case. Just befoi-e sundown, under a very heavy mortar fire, the 
enemy sent up a small boat, and a series of white flags were planted 
on the Fort St. Philip bank of the river, commencing about 380 
yards above the lone tree upon that shore. (See diagram.) This 
confirmed my previous views of an early and different attack from 
the usual mortar bombardment, especially as I presumed that these 
flags indicated the positions to be taken up by the several vessels in 
their new line of operation. As nothing was to be expected from 
the Louisiana, after the correspondence during the day, I could only 
inform Capt. Mitchell of this new movement of the enemy (see at- 
tached document L), and particularly impress upon him the neces- 
sity of keeping the river well lit up with fire-barges, to act as an 
impediment to the enemj^, and assist the accuracy of our fire in a 
night attack. Lieut. Shyrock, C. S. N., Capt. Mitchell's aid, came 
on shore about 9 o'clock, p. m., to inform me that the Louisiana 
would be ready for service by the next evening — the evening of the 
24th. 

I informed hitti that time was every thing to us, and that to-mor- 
row would, in all probability, prove too late. Lieut.-col. Higgins 
warmly seconded, my opinion, and warned Lieut. Shyrock that the 
final battle was imminent within a few hours. 

In regard to lighting the river, Lieut. Shyrock stated that fire- 
barges would be regularly sent down throughout the night, every 
two hours; and as none had been sent up to that hour (9i o'clock, 
p. M.), he left, informing me that this matter would be attended to 
as soon as he arrived on board. 

Tamy utter surprise, not one single fire-barge was sent down the 
river, notwithstanding, at any hour of this night. It was impossible 
for us to send them down, as every thing afloat had been turned 
over to Capt. Mitchell, by order of the Mnjor-gen. commanding, 
and the fire-barges, and the boats to tow them into the stream, were 



878 (OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BAriLES. 

exclusively under his control. In consequence of this criminal neg- 
lect, the river remained in complete darkness throughout the entire 
night. The bombardment continued all night, and grew furious 
towards morning. 

April 24th. At 3| o clock, a. m., the larger vessels of the enemy 
were observed to be in motion, and, as we presumed, to take up 
the positions indicated by the small flags planted by them on the 
previous evening. I then made my last and final appeal to Capt. 
Mitchell, a copy of which is attached as document M. 

The Louisiana was still in her old position above Fort St. Philip, 
surrounded by her tenders, on board of which was the majority of 
her cannoniers and crew, — and the other boats of the fleet were 
generally at anchor above her, excepting the Jackson, Capt. Ren- 
shaw, C. S. N., commanding, which had been sent the day before, 
at my suggestion, to prevent the landing of forces through the 
canals 'above. The McRae lay near and above the Louisiana, and 
the steam-ram Manassa, with her tender, remained in her constant 
position above Fort Jackson, both with steam up, and ready for im- 
mediate action. The enemy evidently anticipated a strong demon- 
stration to be made against him with fire-barges. Finding upon his 
approach, however, that no such demonstration was made, and that 
the only resistance ofiered to his passage was the expected fire of 
the forts — the broken and scattered raft being then no obstacle — I 
am satisfied that he was suddenly inspired, for the first time, to run 
the gauntlet at all hazards, although not a part of his original 
design. Be this as it may, a rapid rush was made by him, in 
columns of twos in echelon, so as not to interfere with each other's 
broadsides. The mortar fire was furiously increased upon Fort 
Jackson, and in dashing by, each of the vessels delivered broadside 
after broadside of shot, shell, grape, canister, and spherical case, to 
drive the men from our guns. 

Both the officers and men stood up manfully under this galling 
and fearful hail, and the batteries of both forts were promptly 
oi>eued at their longest range, with shot, shell, hot shot, and a little 
grape, and most gallantly and rapidly fought, until the enemy suc- 
ceeded in getting above and beyond our range. 

The absence of light on the river, together with the smoke of the 
guns, made the obscurity so dense that scarcely a vessel was visible, 
and in consequence, the gunners wei-e obliged to govern their firing 
entirely by the flashes of the enemy's guns. I am fully satisfied 
that the enemy's dash was successful, mainly owing to the cover of 
darkness, as a frigate and several gunboats were forced to retire as 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 379 

day was breaking. Similar results had attended every previous at- 
tempt made by the enemy to pass or to reconnoitre, when we had 
sufficient light to fire with accuracy and eifect. The passage was 
of short duiation, having been accomplished between 8i a. m. and 
d^iylight, under a very rapid and heavy pressure of steam. Of the 
part taken in this action by the Louisiana, Manassa, and the other 
vessels composing the co-operating naval forces, I cannot speak with 
any degree of certainty, excepting that the Louisiana is reported to 
have fired but twelve shots during the engagement. But to the 
heroic and gallant manner in which Capt. Huger handled and fought 
the McRae, we can all bear evidence. The Defiance, Capt. 
McCoy, commanding, was the only vessel saved out of the river 
fleet. 

Shortly after daylight, the Manassa was observed drifting down 
by the forts. She had been abandoned and fired, and was evident- 
ly in a sinking condition. 

The McRae was considerably cut up in this action by shot and 
grape. 

The Resolute was run on shore about a mile above the forts, 
where she hoisted a white flag, but, by the prompt action of the 
McRae, she was prevented from falling into the hands of the enemy. 
She was subsequently wrecked and burned. The Warrior was run 
asliore and fired on the point just above Fort St. Philip. 

Nothing was known by us of the movements of the Stonewall 
Jackson, the Governor Moore, or the General Quitman. The 
steamers Mosher, Music, and Belle Algerine, in charge of the fire- 
barges, were all destroyed. So was also the Star. The heroic 
courage displayed by the ofiicers and men at both forts was deserv- 
ing of a better success, especially after the fortitude which they 
constantly exhibited through the long tedium of a i)rotracted bom- 
bardment, unsurpassed for its terrible accuracy, constancy, and fury. 

Thirteen of the enemy's vessels, out of twenty-three, succeeded 
in getting by, viz. : the Hartford, Pensacola, Richmond, Brooklyn, 
Mississippi, Oneida, Iroquois, Cayuga, "Wissahickon, Sciota, Kinco, 
Kallahdin and Pinola. In addition to the foregoing, and to Verona, 
and such other vessels as were sunk, there were six gunboats and 
one frigate engaged in tliis action, besides the mortar flotilla. 
Heavy chains were flaked along the sides of the most of these ves- 
sels as an iron-proof protection. The extent of the damage which 
was done to the enemy, we had no means of ascertaining. The 
vessels which j^assed all came to an anchor at or below quarantine, 
six miles above the forts, where they remained until about 10 



880 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

o'clock A. M., when they all passed slowly up the river, with the 
exception of two gunboats left at the quarantine as a guard. 

Sl)ortly after the fleet above got under weigh, a gunboat from 
below made her appearance with a flag of truce, and verbally de- 
manded the surrender of the forts, in the name of Commander D. 
D. Porter, U. S. Navy, commanding the mortar flotilla, under the 
penalty of reopening the bombardment, which had ceased shortly 
after the passage, in case of refusal. The demand was rejected, 
and the bombardment was reopened about 12 o'clock m. It con- 
tinued until near sundown, when it ceased altogether. The entire 
mortar fleet, and all the other vessels excepting six gunboats, then 
got under weigh and passed down the river and out of sight, under 
full steam and sail. A vigilant look out was kept up above and 
below during the night, but all remained quiet. So long as the 
mortar fleet remained below, the position wherein the Louisiana 
could render the greatest assistance to the forts was the one below 
Fort St. Philip hereinbefore mentioned, where the fire from her 
batteries could dislodge the enemy from behind the point of woods. 

After the mortar fleet had left, however, and when the enemy 
had got in force above the forts, the question was materially chang- 
ed, in consequence of the fact that all of our heavy guns at both 
forts had been mounted to bear upon the lower approaches, and 
not on those above. 

The most eflective position which the Louisiana could then take 
as a battery, was in the bight above Fort Jackson, where her guns 
could protect our rear, and sweep the long reach of river above, 
towards the quarantine. This would still insure her safety, as she 
would be under the guns of both forts. This is evident by a refer- 
ence to the point (XX) on the diagram. 

In several personal interviews, and by correspondence with Capt. 
Mitchell on this date, (see attached documents N, O, P, Q, and R,) 
I requested him, during the morning of the 2-4th, wliile the mortar 
fleet was below, to place the Louisiana below the raft and dislodge 
it ; and later in the day, when the mortar fire was nearly exhaust- 
ed, to place her in the position (XX) above Fort Jackson, to assist 
in repelling an attack from the vessels above. 

During. the day she was in an unfit condition to assume either 
position, for the reasons given by Capt. Mitchell in his letters to 
me. The intoxicated volunteers referred to were none of my men, 
nor did they get their liquor at the forts, as there was none on hand 
there during the bombardment, excepting the small supplies of bos- 
l)ital stores in the medical department. 



OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 381 

April 25th. No attack attempted during the day by the enemy, 
either from above or below. The gunboats from the quarantine 
and from the point of woods below occasionally showed themselves 
for observation, but without firing. During the day all the princi- 
pal guns that would admit of it at both forts were prepared at once 
so as to traverse in a full circle, and bear above or below as neces- 
sity might require. Some of the 24-pounder barbette guns at Fort 
Jackson were also replaced by guns of heavier calibre, to bear on 
the river above. 

Permission was granted by the enemy to the Confederate States 
Steamer McRae to proceed to New Orleans, under a flag of truce, 
with the wounded. Availing ourselves of the offer of Capt. Mitch- 
ell, the seriously wounded of both forts were sent on board of her. 
As it was late when the wounded were all gotten on board, the 
McRae did not get off vmtil the next morning. Still failed during 
the day in getting Capt. Mitchell to j^lace the Louisiana in the 
bight above Fort Jackson, where she could act against the enemy 
from above. One of the raft schooners was burned during the 
night to light the river, and all remained quiet. 

April 26th. A gunboat with a white flag dropped down from 
the quarantine to escort the McRae on her mission. The McRae 
did not again return to the forts. Four of the enemy's steamers 
were in sight at the quarantine at dawn. A gunboat occasionally 
showed herself below to reconnoitre. In the direction of Bird 
Island, and back of the salt works, a large steam frigate and an 
ordinary river steamer appeared in sight, the latter working her 
way up the bay behind Fort St. Philip, apparently towards the 
quarantine. During the day, Capt. Mitchell communicated with the 
enemy above, under a flag of truce, and learned that the city had 
surrendered, and that the Confederate States steam ram Mississippi 
had been burned by our authorities. The wreck of the floating 
dock or battery drifted by the forts about 4 o'clock p. m. 

The Louisiana was not placed in the position required of her dur- 
ing tlie day, Capt. Mitchell promising to put her there the next 
day, the 27th, Another raft-schooner burned for light, and all quiet 
during the night. No shots exchanged during the day. 

April 27. At daylight, the steamer which had been observed the 
day before, working her way up in the back bays, was in view, im- 
mediately in the rear of Fort St. Philip, and near the mouth of the 
Fort Bayou. A frigate and five other vessels were also in sight to- 
wards Bird Island, one of which was seen working her way up the 
bay. From ten to thirteen launches were visible near the boat back 



3S2 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

ot Fort St. Philip, by means of which ti'oops were being landed at 
the quarantine above us. About 12 o'clock m., one of the enemy's 
gunboats from below made her appearance, under a flag of truce, 
bearing a written demand for the surrender of the forts, signed by 
commander David D. Porter, U. S. N., commanding mortar flotilla. 
(See attached document S.) The forts refused to surrender. (See 
attached document T.) About 4 (i'clock p. m., the French man-of- 
war Milan, Capt. Clouet commanding, passed up to the city, after 
asking and obtaining permission to do so. The position of the Lou- 
isiana still remained unchanged. 

So far, throughout the entire bombardment and final action, the 
spirit of the troops was cheerful, confident, and courageous. They 
were mostly foreign enlistments, without any great interests at stake 
in the ultimate success of the revolution. A reaction set in among 
them during the lull of the 25th, 26th, and 27th, when there was 
no other excitement to arouse them than the fatigue duty of repair- 
ing our damages, and when the rumor was current that the city had 
surrendered, and was in the hands of the enemy. No reply had 
been received from the city to my dispatches, sent by coiiriers, on 
the 24th and 25th, by means of which I could reassure them. They 
were still obedient, but not buoyant and cheerful. In consequence, 
I endeavored to revive their courage and patriotism, by publishing 
an order to both garrisons, attached hereto as document U. I re- 
gret to state that it did not produce the desired effect. Everything 
remained quiet, however, until midnight, when the garrison at Fort 
Jackson revolted en mass, seized upon the guard and posterns, re- 
versed the field-pieces commanding the gates, and commenced to 
spike the guns, while jiiany of the men were leaving the fort in the 
mean time, under arms. All this occurred as suddenly as it was un- 
expected. 

The men were mostly drawn up under arms, and positively re- 
fused to fight any longer, besides endeavoring by force to bring 
over the St. Mary's cannoniers, and such other few men as remained 
true to their cause and country. The mutineers stated that the of- 
ficers intended to hold out as long as possible, or while the pro- 
visions lasted, and then blow uj) the forts, and eveiy thing in them ; 
that the city had surrendered, and that there was no further use in 
fighting ; tliat the enemy were about to attack by land and water, 
on three sides at once, and that a longer defence would only prove 
a butchery. Every endeavor was made by the officers to repress 
the revolt, and to bring the men to reason and order, but without 
avail. Officers upon the ramparts were fired upon by the mutineers, 
in attempting to put a stop to the spiking of the guns. 



OFFICIAL ^EPOETS OF BATTLES. 383 

I am greatly indebted to the Rev. Father Naclion, for his efforts 
to quell the mutineers, through some of .whom he learned that the 
revolt had been discussed among them for two days, and yet there 
was no one man true enough to communicate the fact to his officers. 
Signals also were said to have been passed between the forts during 
the night, and while the mutiny was at its height. Being so general 
among the men, the officers were helpless and powerless to act. 

Under these circumstances, there was but one course left, viz, : to 
let those men go who wished to leave the fort, in order to see the 
number left, and to ascertain what reliance could be placed upon 
them. About one-half of the garrison left immediately, including 
men from every company, excepting the St. Mary's cannoniers, 
volunteers and regulars, non-commissioned officers and privates, and 
among them many of the very men who had stood last and best to 
their guns throughout the protracted bombardment and the final 
action when the enemy passed. It was soon evident that there was 
no fight in the men remaining behind, that they were completely 
demoralized, and that no faith or reliance could be placed in the 
broken detachments of companies left in the fort. 

In the mean time, we were totally ignorant of the condition of 
affairs in Fort St. Philip, and as all of our small boats had been car- 
ried away by the mutineers, we could not communicate with that 
fort till the next morning. As the next attack upon the forts was 
likely to be a combined operation by land and water, and as Fort 
St. Philip was the point most threatened, from the nature of the 
country around it, and from the character of the work itself, with 
narrow and shallow ditches, and but little relief to the main \\-ork, 
it was self-evident that no reduction could be made in its garrison 
to strengthen that of Fort Jackson, even if all the men there re- 
mained true. In fact, two additional regiments had been asked for 
at quarantine, in anticipation of such an attack, to act as a reserve 
to strengthen the garrisons of both forts. With the enemy above 
and below us, it will be apparent at once, to any one at all familiar 
with the surrounding country, that there was no chance of destroy- 
ing the public property, blowing up the forts, and escaping with the 
remaining troops. Under all these humiliating circumstances, there 
seemed to be but one course open to us, viz. : to await the approach 
of daylight, communicate then with the gunboats of the mortar 
flotilla below, under a flag of truce, and negotiate for a surrender 
under the terms offered us by Commander Porter, on the 26th inst,, 
and which had previously been declined. 

April 28th. A small boat was procured, and Lieut. Morse, Post- 



384 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF. BATTLES. 

adjutant, sent over to convey the condition of affaii'S to Fort St, 
Philip, as well as to Capt. Mitchell, on the Louisiana. Capt Mitchell 
and Lieut. Shyrock, C. S. N., came on shore and discussed the whole 
question ; after which they left, remarking that they would go on 
board, and endeavor to attack the enemy above at the quarantine, 
notwithstanding that reasons had been given, from time to time, for 
not moving this vessel into hei*. proper position, only a few hundred 
yards distant. Capts. Squires and Bond, Louisiana artillery, and 
Lieut. Dixon, commanding the company of C. S. regular recruits, 
came on shore, shortly afterwards from Fort St. Philip, and con- 
curred with us, that, under the circumstances, we could do nothing 
else than surrender, as they were not at all confident of the garrison 
there, after the unlocked for revolt at Fort Jackson, although none 
of their men had left, or openly revolted. 

For these reasons, a flag of truce was sent down to communicate 
with the enemy below, and to carry a written oifer of surrender 
under the terms offered on the 26th instant. (See attached Docu- 
ment V.) This communication brought up the Harriet Lane and. 
three other gunboats opposite the fort, with wtiite flags at the fore, 
AA'hite flags being displayed fi-om the yards of the flag-masts at both 
forts, while the confederate flags waved at the mast-heads. While 
negotiations were pending on the Harriet Lane, it was reported 
that the the steamer Louisiana, with her guns protruding, and on 
fire, was drifting down the river towards the fleet. As the wreck, 
in descending, kept close into the Fort St. Philip shore, the chances 
were taken by the enemy without changing the position of his 
boats. 

The guns of the Louisiana Avere discharged at random as 
she floated down, and the boat finally blew up near Fort St. 
Philip, scattering its fragments everywhere within and around 
the fort, killing one of our men and wounding three or four 
others. 

Capt. Mcintosh, C. S. N., who had been severely wounded in 
the discharge of his duty on the night of the enemy's passage, and 
who was then lying in a tent at that fort, was nearly killed also. 
As far as I could learn, however, the Louisiana was fired prior to 
the time that the enemy's boats, with white flags, came to an 
anchor abreast of the forts to negotiate. She was fired in her first 
and original position, without any change of any kind since her 
arrival at the forts. 

The terms of capitulation are attached hereto as Document W, 
in addition to which Commander Porter verbally agreed not to haul 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 385 

down the Confederate flag or hoist the Federal, until the officers 
should get away from the forts. 

The officers of Fort Jackson and the St. Mary's cannoniers left 
about 4 o'clock p, m., for the city, on board of the U. S. gunboat 
Kennebec, and arrived on the morning of the 29th in New Orleans. 
The officers of Fort St. Philip were sent up the next day, and all 
the men subsequently, within a few days, as transportation could be 
furnished, excepting the men who revolted on the night of the 27th, 
many of whom enlisted with the enemy. Upon my arrival in the 
city, I found the enemy's vessels were lying ofl* the town, and that 
no flag, excepting that of the State of Louisiana, on the City Hall, 
was visible upon the shore. I also learned that flag officer Farra- 
gut had directed it to be hauled down, and the U. S. flag hoisted 
in its stead, upon the penalty of shelling the city within forty-eight 
hours, if the demand was not complied with, and that he had 
warned the city authorities to remove the women and children 
within the time specified. 

I therefore deemed it my duty to call at once upon the mayor at 
the Oity Hall, and inform him of the fate of the forts below, which 
I did accordingly. Learning there, from one of his aids, that the 
major-general commanding the department was still in the city, I 
called upon him in person, and verbally reported the main incidents 
of the bombardment, the passage of the enemy, and the capitulation 
of the forts. 

I have the honor to inclose herewith the report of Lieut.-col. E, 
Higgins, twenty-second regiment Louisiana volunteers, command- 
ing Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and those of the different com- 
pany and battery commanders, together with the surgeon's reports 
of the killed and wounded. The rejjort of Colonel Sysmauski, 
commanding the Chalmette regiment at quarantine, has not been 
received by me, so that I am unable to report upon his operations. 

I fuUy indorse the just praise bestowed in the inclosed reports 
upon the officers at both forts, and warmly return them my thanks. 
They all distinguished themselves by cool courage, skill, and 
patriotism throughout the entire bombai'dment, and by the patient 
fortitude vnih which they bore the several trying ordeals of water, 
fire, and the energetic fury of the enemy's protracted and con- 
tinuous fire. 

I must also bear testimony to the cheerful courage and prompt 
and willing obedience with which the men performed their duties 
throughout the bombardment, and up to the sad night when they 
took the rash and disgraceful step of rising against their officers, 

25 



886 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

breaking through all discipline, and leading to such disastrous and 
fatal consequences. I can charitably account for it only on the 
grounds of great reaction after the intense physical strain of many 
weary days and nights of terrible fire, during which they were 
necessarily subjected to every privation from circumstances beyond 
our control, but which they had not the moral courage to share and 
sustain with their officers, all of whom were subjected to the same 
hardships in every particular. 

To Lieut.-col. Higgins, commanding the forts, my thanks are 
especially due, for his indefatigable labors in preparing his heavy 
batteries, preparatory to the attack, almost in the face of the 
enemy, and for the quiet, skilful and judicious manner in which he 
caused them to be fought. He was present everywhere, and did his 
whole duty well and thoroughly. Capt. M. T. Squires, Louisiana 
regiment of artillery, as senior officer in charge of Fort St. Philip, 
under orders of Lieut.-col. Higgins, commanding, fully sustained 
every anticipation entertained of his gallantry, skill, and efficiency. 

During the first day's bombardment, when Capt. Anderson was 
wounded, my aid-de-camp, Lieut. William M. Bridges, Loukiana 
artillery, volunteered to command the ten-inch columbiads on the 
main work, and I return him my thanks for the gallant and efficient 
manner in which he fought them during the rest of the action. 

I take great pleasure in making personal mention of my volun- 
teer aids, Capt. Wm. Y. Seymour and Capt. Y. R. Smith, for the 
valuable assistance which they rendered me at all times. My 
thanks are also due to Doctors Bradbury and Foster, who volun- 
teered their services to assist Assistant Surgeons L. Burk and C. D. 
Lewis, at Forts Jackson and St. Philip respectively, and most effici- 
ently did they aid in this department. Doctor Bradbury remained 
at Fort Jackson until its fall, and was parolled. Doctor Foster, at 
my request, accompanied the wounded soldiers to the city on the 
C. S. steamer McRae. 

Messrs. Fulda, Stickney, and Sergeant Y. R. Poindexter, 4th Mis- 
sissippi volunteers, telegraphic operators, rendered the most valu- 
able services in keeping open our communication above and below, 
under the most dangerous and difficult circumstances. Although 
we have failed in our mission of keeping the enemy's fleet from 
passing the forts, and have been subjected to the deep humiliation 
of surrendering the charge intrusted to our keeping to the enemies 
of our country, I must nevertheless state, in common justice to my- 
self and those under my command, that to the very best of our 
ability, with the means at our disposal, our whole duty was per- 



• OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 387 

formed faithfully, honestly, and fearlessly. If all had to be gone 
through with again, under similar events and circumstances, I know 
that we should be forced to the same results and consequences. 

Great as the disaster is, it is but the sheer result of that lack of 
cheerful and hearty co-operation from the defences afloat, which we 
had every right to expect, and to the criminal negligence of not 
lighting up the river at night, when the danger was imminent, and 
the movements of the enemy absolutely known, almost to the hour 
of the final attack. Except for the cover afforded by the obscurity 
of the darkness, I shall always remain satisfied that the enemy 
would never have succeeded in j)assing Forts Jackson and St. 



Philip. 



I am, very respectfully, - 

Tour obedient servant, 

J. K. DUNCAN, 
JBrig.-gen.^ late commanding Coast Defences. 



New Orleans, La., May 13, 1862. 
Major J. G. Pickett, 

Assistant Adjutant-general^ Departm^ent No. 1, 

Camp Moore, La. : 
Major : — In addition to the foregoing report, I wish to add, that 
upon the arrival of the paroled enlisted men from Forts Jackson 
and St. Philip in this city, I endeavored, to the best of my ability, 
to see that they were properly cared for, until such time as they 
could be sent out of town. As far as it could be done, they were 
paid in part for the time due, and arrangements were also made 
through the city safety committee to have them boarded and 
lodged temporarily, all with the view, of preventing them from 
going over to the enemy through distress and starvation. In this 
I was very much assisted by Capt. M. T. Squires and 1st Lieut. L. 
B. Taylor, Louisiana regiment of artillery. Notwithstanding that 
they were thus amply provided for, scores of them have been daily 
going over to the enemy and enlisting since, until now there are 
but a very few left from either fort not in the ranks of the enemy. 
Although I really did think, at the time of the surrender, that 
some few of the men were loyal, the facts which have since come 
to light have perfectly satisfied me that nearly every man in both 
forts was thoroughly implicated and concerned in the revolt on the 



388 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. • 

night of the 27th of April, with the exception of the company of 
St. Mary's cannoniers, composed mostly of planters. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

J. K. DUNCAN, 
Brig.-gen., late commanding Coast Defences. 



(Document A.) 

Forts Jackson and St. Philip, La,, 

Aiyril 6th, 1862. 
To Capt. Stevenson, 

Comm,ancUng River Fleet, present : 
Captain : — Keep your boats in constant readiness at all times for 
the enemy's approach. Should he attack, all your fleet must be 
kept above the raft, and such of your boats as have stem guns 
should lay in the middle of the stream above the raft, and without 
the field of our fire, and use these guns against the enemy. 

Should any boat of the enemy by any means get above the raft, 
you must instantly ram it with determination and vigor, at all 
risks and at every sacrifice. All signal mast-head lights should be 
kept extinguished at night, or never hoisted. Trusting to your 
known energy, and to the great expectations anticipated of the 
river fleet by your friends, I have every confidence that your 
whole duty will be thoroughly performed. 
Very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed) J. K. DUNCAN", Brig.-gen. 



(Document B.) 

Head-quarters Forts Jackson and St. Philip, 

April 9th, 1862. 
To Capt. Jno. a. Stephenson, 

Commanding Miver Fleet, present : 
Captain : — Keep one of your boats constantly below, night and 
day, opposite the wooded point, where you can watch the move- 
ments of the enemy. Signal us his approach, and the number of 
vessels seen coming up, and give me a copy of the signals for our 
government at the forts. 

I wish you to take the entire control of the fire-rafts, and you 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 3S9 

will be assisted therein by the steamers Star, Algerine, and such 
other boats as I can procure from the city for the purpose. 

Your own knowledge of the river and the currents will enable 
you to set them adrift at such time as your judgment warrants. 
Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

J. K. DUNCAN", 
Srigadier-general^ coni'g. Coast Defences. 



(Document C.) 

Jackson, April 18th, 1862. 
To Col. HiGoiNS : 

Dear Sir : — Yours just received. The fire-barge was sent down, 
as I supposed, by your order. Capt. Grant accompanied me to 
select a proper place to let her go. She was fired by my order, but 
was not aware that she was too close to the fort, but the eddy cur- 
rent, after firing, probably brought her into too close proximity to 
the fort. I regret the aifair was an abortion. 

Respectfully, 

(Signed) T. B. RENSHAW, C. S. ,;N. 



(Document C.) 

C. S. Steamer Louisiana, off Fort Jackson, 

April 22d, 1862. 
To Gen. J. K. Duncan, 

Commanding Coast Defences, Fort Jackson : 

General: — I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt of 
yours of this date, asking me to place the Louisiana in position 
below the raft, this evening, if possible. 

This vessel was hurried away from New Orleans before the steam 
power and batteries were ready for service. 

"Without a crew, and in many respects very incomplete, and this 
condition of things is but partially remedied now, she is not yet 
prepared to offer battle to the enemy ; but, should he attempt to 
pass the forts, we will do all we can to prevent it, and it was for 
this purpose only that she was placed in position where necessity 
might force her into action, inadequately prepared as she is at this 
moment. 



890 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

"We have now at work, ou board, about fifty mechanics, as well as 
her own crew and those from other vessels, doing work essential to 
the preparation of the vessel for battle. Under these circumstances, 
it would, in my estimation, be hazarding too much to place her un- 
der the fire of the enemy. 

Every efibrt is being made to prepare her for the relief of Fort 
Jackson — the condition of which is fully felt by me ; and the very 
moment I can venture to face our enemy with any reasonable 
chance of success, be assured, general, I will do it, and trust that 
the result will show you that I am now pursuing the right course. 
I am, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed) JNO. K. MITCHELL, 

Commanding C. S. Naval Foi-ces, Lower Miss. 
P. S. — The Jackson, with launch No. 3, will go up to, the Quar- 
antine this afternoon, to watch the enemy, as suggested in your note 
this morning. 

Kespectfiilly, etc., 
(Signed) J. K. M. 



(Document E.) 

C S. Steamer Louisiana, near Fort Jackson, 
April 23d, 1862. 
To Gen. J, K. Duncan, 

Commanding Coast Defences, Fort Jackson : 

General : — On the receipt, last night, of your second communi- 
cation of yesterday's date, asking me to place this vessel under the 
fire of the enemy, I consulted the commanding ofticers of the C. S. 
Naval vessels present on the subject, and herewith annex a copy ot 
their opinion, sustaining my own views on the subject. 

I feel the importance of afibrding relief to your command as soon 
as possible ; but, general, at the same time, I feel, and I knoio, the 
importance to the safety of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and the 
city of New Orleans, of having this vessel in proper condition before 
seeking an encounter with the enemy. If he seeks one, or attempts 
the passage of the forts before this vessel is ready, I shall meet him, 
however unprej^ared I may be. 

We have an additional force of mechanics from the city this 
morning, and I hope, that by to-morrow night, the motive power 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 391 

of the Louisiana will be 4*eady, and in the mean time, her battery 
will be in place, and other preparations will be completed, so as to 
enable her to act against the enemy. When ready, you will be im- 
mediately advised. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully. 

Your. obedient servant, 
(Signed) JNO. K. MITCHELL, 

Commanding G. S. Naval Forces, Lower Miss. 



(Document E.) 

C. S. Steamer Louisiana, near Fort Jackson, 
April 22, 1862. 

Two communications having this day been received from Brig.- 
gen. Duncan (herewith attached, marked No. 1 and 3, and also the 
answer of Commander J. K. Mitchell, No. 1, marked No. 2), re- 
questing that the Louisiana be placed in position b^w the raft in 
the river, near Fort Jackson, a consultation was held ^ Commander 
J. K. Mitchell, with Commander Mcintosh and Lieuts. Command- 
ing Huger and Warly, who fully sustained the views of Commander 
Mitchell, as expressed in his reply (marked No. 2) declining to com- 
ply with the request of Brig.-gen. Duncan. 

(Signed) C. F. McINTOSH, GomWg C. S. JV. 

(Signed) T. B. HUGER, Zieut. Com'd'g. 

(Signed) N. S. WARLY, Zient. Com'd'g. 

(Signed) GEORGE S. SHYROCK, 

Zieut. G. iS. JV., aid to commanding officer. 



(Document F.) 

C. S. Steamer Louisiana, Fort Jackson, 
April 22, 1862. 
Gen. J. K. Duncan, 

Commanding Coast Defences at Fort Jackson : 

Genieral : — Your tw^o notes of this date have been received. A 
fire has been ordered to be built below St. Philip, as you requested, 
except that it will be on the beach ; and a raft will be kept ready 
to fire, and turn adrift, as you requested, near Fort Jackson, in the 



393 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

event of the apprehended attack being made by the enemy to-night. 
I shall also direct a vigilant look out to be kept by all the vessels, 
and to co-ojierate with you to prevent the passage of the forts at 
every hazard. 

Your request respecting the report of the bad condition of the 
engines of the Mosher will claim my attention as soon as possible. 
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed) JOHN K. MITCHELL, 

Commanding C. S. Naval Forces, Lower Ifississippi. 



(Document G.) 

C. S. Steamer Louisiana, off Fort Jackson, 
April 22, 1862. 

To Lieut, commanding Hugee, Assistant Engineer , Assist- 
ant Engin^ , C. S. Steamer McMae, off Fort Jackson : 

Gentlemen : — The steamers Mosher and Belle Algerine having 
been represented as being unfit for service, you will please to ex- 
amine them carefully, without delay, and report to me in duplicate 
their condition. In the performance of this duty, please state the 
cause of any damage you may discover, with such recommendations 
as, in your judgment, you may deem proper. 
I am, very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

JOHN K. MITCHELL, 
Commandingf C. S. Naval Forces, Lower Mississippi river. 
Capt. Huger will fill up the blanks with the names of the two 
engineers he thinks most suitable for the service, belonging to the 
McRae. 

C. S. Steamer Louisiana, April 22, 1862. 
Samuel Brock, 

Senior Engineer, McRae: 
Sir : In obedience to your order, we have held a survey upon the 
steamer Belle Algerine and the tug Mosher. The latter has, we 
think, loosened the after-bearing of her shaft. This we can, I 
think, obviate in a few hours. The Belle Algerine leaks badly in 
the bows from two holes knocked in her, the Capt. reports, while 
working in the raft, and, also, while landing guns at Fort St. Philip. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 393 

This we can also remedy, and are now doing so. I trust by to- 
night both vessels will be serviceable. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
(Signed) T. B. HUGER, 

Commanding McRae. 
To John K. Duncan, 

Cotnmanding Coast Defences : 
General : Above you will see the report on the vessels reported 
to you as unfit for service. I send it for your information. 
Resj)ectfully, your obedient servant, 

JOHN Jv. MITCHELL, 
Com7nanding C. S. Naval Forces 



(Document H.) 

Fort Jackson, La,, April 23, 1862. 
Capt. J. K, Mitchell, 

Cormnanding Naval Forces Lower Mississippi river : 

Captain : I am of the opinion that the mortar practice of the 
enemy against Fort Jackson must be nearly exhausted, and that 
there is every indication that the enemy, as the next plan of attack, 
is about to move his large vessels to the point of woods, and open 
upon us with his broadsides. One of the large vessels has already 
been brought up and placed in position. Should the above prove 
to be the case, it is imperatively and absolutely necessary that the 
batteries of the Louisiana should be brought into action, as well as 
those of Forts Jackson and St. Philip. 

A proper position for the Louisiana would be on the Fort St. 
Philip side, a short distance below the raft and close to the shore, 
which will give us three direct and cross fires upon the jDoint of 
attack. 

Earnestly calling your attention to this subject, and, as you can 
see from your position the movements of the enemy, and can, con- 
sequently, know when to act, 

I remain, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

J. K. DUNCAN, 
Brig.-gen. commanding Coast Defences. 



394 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

(Document I.) 

C. S, Steamer Louisiana, 
Near Fort Jackson, April 23d, 1862. 
To Brig.-gen. J. K, Duncan, 

Commanding Coast Defences^ Fort JacJcsoji : 

General : I am in receipt of your letter of this date, in which 
you express your belief that the enemy is about to change his 
l^lace of attack, and open the broadside of his larger ships on the 
forts, and in which you make certain suggestions as to the position 
to be taken by this ship. 

By reference to a letter of mine to you of yesterday's date, and 
of (No. 1) of this date, you will be apj^rised of the concMtion of this 
ship. Should an attack be made as anticipated, I shall be governed 
by circumstances, and do all I can against the enemy. 
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

JOHN K. MITCHELL, 
Com/manding G. 8. Naval Forces Lower Mississippi, 



(Document J.) 

C. S. Steamer Louisiana, 
Off Fort Jackson, April 23d, 1862. 
To Gen. J. K. Duncan, 

Commanding Coast Defences^ Fort JacJcson : 

Sir : I inclose herewith a copy of a communication received on 
the 21st inst., from Capt. Stevenson, from which you will perceive 
that, notwithstanding Gen. Lovell's order to him, this letter so 
qualifies my authority as to relieve me from all responsibility as to 
the movements of the vessels of the river fleet under his command. 
I have the honor to be. 

Very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed,) JOHN K. MITCHELL, 

Commanding C. S. Naval Forces Lower Mississippi. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 395 

(Document K.) 

River Defence, C. S. Gunboat Warrior, 

Fort Jackson, April 21st, 18G2, 
Commander J. K. Mitchell, Confederate States Navy : 

Sir : — I am in receipt of an order from Major-gen. M. Lovell, 
dated 20th instant, in which I am directed to place myself and my 
whole commiand at this point under your orders. Every officer and 
man on the river defence expedition, joined it with the condition 
that it was to be independent of the navy, and that it would not be 
governed by the regulations of the navy, or be commanded by naval 
officers. In the face of the enemy I will not say more. I will co- 
operate with you, and do nothing without your approbation, and 
will endeavor to carry out your wishes to the best of my ability, 
but in my own way, as to the details, and the handling of my boats. 
But I expect the vessels under my charge to remain as separate 
command. All orders for their movements, addressed to me, will 
be i^romptly executed if practicable, and I undertake to be respon- 
sible for their efficiency when required. I suppose this is all that is 
intended by the order of Major-gen. Lovell, or that will be ex- 
pected from me by you. 

Respectfully yours, &c., 

JOHN A. STEVENSON, 
Senior Captain commanding Miver Fleet at Fort JacJcson, 

Our signals should be made to assimilate at once. Capt. Renshaw 
and myself could arrange this if you wish, as no doubt but you are 
greatly fatigue^, and still much to do and arrange. Any thing lean 
do, rely on it being done promptly and cheerfully. 
Yours, &c., 

(Signed) J. A. S. 



(Document L.) 

Fort Jackson, Louisiana, April 23d, 1862. 
Capt. J. K. Mitchell, 

Commanding Naval Forces Lower Mississippi Miver : 
Captain : — The enemy has just sent up a small boat, and planted 
a series of white flags on the Fort St. Philip side, commencing about 
350 yards above the lone tree. It is the probable position of his 
ships in the new line of attack, which, in my opinion, he contem- 
plates for attacking Fort Jackson Avith his large vessels. As you 



396 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

may not have seen this operation, I furnish you with the informa- 
tion. Please keep tlie river well lit up with fire-rafts to-night, as 
the attack may be made at any time. 
Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed) J. K. DUNCAN", 

Brig. -general commanding Coast Defences. 



(Document M.) 

Fort Jackson, Louisiana, 3| o'clock a. m., 

April 24th, 1862. 
Capt. J. K. Mitchell, 

Com/manding Naval Forces Lower Mississippi Hiver : 
Captain : — As I anticipated, and informed you yesterday, the 
enemy are taking up their position at the present moment, with 
their large ships on the Fort St. Philip shore, to oijerate against 
Fort Jackson. They are placing themselves boldly, with their 
lights at their mast-heads. You are assuming a fearful responsi- 
bility if you do not come at once to our assistance with the Louisi- 
ana and the fleet. I can say no more. 
Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

J. K. DUNCAN", 

Brigadier-general. 



(Document N.) 

C. S. Gunboat Louisiana, 
Near Fort St. Philip, 

April 24th, 1862. 
To Brig.-gen. J. K. Duncan, 

Commanding Coast Defences., Fort Jackson : 
General: — On returning to the Louisiana, I find that we have 
no tender on whose steam-power we can rely, aad many of the 
volunteer troops on board of the W. Burton are intoxicated. Under 
these circumstances, as well as the exhausted condition of our own 
crew, and excessive difficulty in handling the vessel, will prevent 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 397 

our taking the position, at least to-day, that I proposed, and was ar- 
ranged between us this forenoon. 

I will, however, as you suggested in your communication, take up 
a position above, to protect the approaches in that direction. 

Having no adequate motive power of our own, it will be an easy 
matter for the enemy's vessels that have it, to take up such a posi- 
tion that our guns cannot reach him for want of elevation, or be 
brought to bear upon him. I will, however, do all I can to keep 
him back from above. 

The McRae has lost her 9-inch gun : of course, we cannot expect 
much assistance from her. 

I have the honor to be, 
Very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

J. K. MITCHELL, 
Commanding C. S. Naval Forces Lower Miss. 



(Document O.) 

C. S. Steamer Louisiana, 
Fort St. Philip, April 24th, 1862. 
To Gen. J. K. Duncan, 

Commanding Coast Defences^ Fort Jackson : 
General : — Your 2d and 3d notes, of this date, are at hand. We 
are in a helpless condition, for the want of tug-boats. The W. Bur- 
ton is crippled, and the Landis also, and the gunboat Defiance will 
not do any thing for us. If she comes within my reach, I will de- 
prive her captain of his command, by force, if necessary. 

The anchor we have down cannot purchase, and we are afraid to 
ship it, to move about three hundred yards higher up, where we can 
be better secured. 

We shall probably remain where we are, and do all we can to 
defeat the enemy, should he attack us again. 

It will be out of our power, I am afraid, to light up the bank 
below St. Philip to-night, or to set adrift lire-boats, as none are at 
hand, and they have all disappeared, apparently. 
I have the honor to be. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

JNO. K. MITCHELL, 
Commanding C. S. Naval Forces Lower Miss, 



}98 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 



(Document P.) 

Fort Jackson, Louisiana, 

April 24th, 1862. 
To Capt. J. K. Mitchell, 

Commanding 0. S. Naval Forces Loicer 3Iiss. : 
Captain : — From all we can see and learn, the enemy, with the 
exception of one or two gunboats has passed up the river, so that 
there will be no use in changing your present position to one further 
above. I regret to learn the condition of the volunteer troops on 
board the W. Burton. This, together with the exhausted condi- 
tion of your crew, will prevent your taking up the position below, 
which was agreed upon this morning, for the present. You may 
be able to take it up, however, when your crew recover from their 
fatigue, and when you are able to quell the irregularities of the 
volunteers. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant. 

J. K. DUNCAN, 
Commanding Coast Defences. 



(Document Q.) 

Fort Jackson, Louisiana, 

April 24th, 1862. 
To Capt. J. K. Mitchell, 

Gomm,atidmg C. S. Naval Forces Lower Mississippi. : 

Captain : As I have no boats of any kind, I must ask of you to 
light up the river with fire-barges to-night, if it possibly lies in your 
power. The absence of Hght greatly impairs the accuracy and ef- 
fectiveness of our fire upon the enemy. 
Very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

J. K. DUNCAN, Brig.-gen., 

* Commanding Coast Defences. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 399 

(Document R.) 

Fort Jackson, April 24th, 1862. 
To Capt. J. K. Mitchell, 

Commanding G. S. Ncmal Forces Loioer 3Iiss. : 

Captain : The lower schooner will be lighted by firing her from 
a row-boat from Fort St. Philip at early dusk. As this light dies 
away the next one above will be fired, and so on, all night. 

Unless you can better yourself materially, I would not advise any 
movement on your part from your present position, owing to all the 
adverse circumstances mentioned in your letter. 

In regard to the Defiance, the authority over her which I formerly 
had has been transferred to you ; but we will freely lend you any as- 
sistance which you may require in deposing her commander, or in 
exercising your authority over her. 

Keep a vigilant look out for another attack to-night, when we 
will mutually support each other, and do all that we possibly can. 

Capt. Squires has been directed by Col. Higgins to furnish you 
such assistance as you may require. 
Very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

J. K. DUNCAN, Brig.-gen., 

Commanding Coast Defence- 



(Document S.) 

Mississippi River, April 26th, 1862, 

U. S. Steamer Harriet Lane. 
To Col. Edward Higgins, 

Commanding Confederate Forces. 

In Forts Jackson and St. Philip : 

Sir : When I last demanded the surrender of Forts Jackson and. 
St. Philip, I had no positive assurance of the success of our vessels 
in passing safely the batteries on the river. Since then I have re- 
ceived communications from Flag-officer Farragut, who is now in 
possession of New Orleans. Our troops are or will be in possession 
of the prominent points on the river, and a sufficient force has been 
posted outside of the bayous to cut off" all communications and pre- 
vent supplies. No man could consider it dishonorable to surrender, 



400 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

esiDGcially under these circumstances, when no advantages can arise 
by longer holding out, and by yielding gracefully he can save the 
further eifusion of blood. 

You have defended the forts gallantly, and no more can be asked 
of you. I feel authorized to offer you terms sufficiently honorable 
to relieve you from any feeling of humiliation. The officers will be 
permitted to retire on parole with their side arms, not to serve again 
until regularly exchanged. All private property will be respected. 
Only the arms and munitions will be surrendered to the U. S, Gov- 
ernment, and the vessels lying near the forts. No damage must be 
• done to the defences. The soldiers also will be paroUed, and be per- 
mitted to return to their homes, giving up their arms. 

I am aware that you can hold out some little time longer, and am 
also aAvare of the exact condition, as reported to us by a deserter, 
which convinces me that you will only be inflicting on yourself and 
those under you unnecessary discomforts without any good result 
arising from so doing. 

Your port has long been closed to the world, by which serious in- 
jury has been experienced by many loyal citizens. I trust that you 
will not lend yourself to the further injury of their interests, where 
it can only entail calamity and bloodshed, without any possible hope 
of success or relief to your forts. 

Your surrender is a mere question of time, which you know is 
not of any extent, and I therefore urge you to meet my present 
proposition. By doing so you can put an end to a state of affiiirs 
which will only inflict injury upon all those under you, who have 
strong claims upon your consideration. 

I remain, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed) DAVID R. PORTER, 

Commanding Mortar Fleet. 



(Document T.) 

Head-quarters Forts Jackson and St. Philip, 

April 2nh, 1862. 

To Commodore D. R. Porter, 

U. S. Navy, commatiding Mortar Fleet: 

Sir : — Your letter of the 26th instant, demanding the surrender 
of these forts, has been received. 



OFFICIAL REPOKTS OF BATTLES. 401 

In reply thereto, I have to state that no official information has 
been received by me, from our own authorities, that the city of New ' 
Orleans has been surrendered to the forces of Flag-officer Farrigut, 
and until such information is received, no proposition for a sur- 
render can for a moment be entertained here. 
Very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

EDWARD HIGGINS, 
Zdeut.-col. comnicmdi7ig. 



(Document XJ.) 

Fort Jackson, La., April 27th, 1862. 
Soldiers of Forts Jackson and St. Philip : 

You have nobly, gallantly, and heroically sustained, with cour- 
age and fortitude, the terrible ordeals of fire, water, and a hail of 
shot and shell, wholly unsurpassed during the present war. But 
more remains to be done. The safety of New Orleans and the 
cause of the Southern Confederacy — our homes, familes, and every 
thing dear to man — yet depend upon our exertions. 

"We are just as capable of repelling the enemy to-day as we were 
before the bombardment. Twice has the enemy demanded your 
surrender, and twice has he been refused. 

Your officers have every confidence in your courage and patriot- 
ism, and feel every assurance that you will cheerfully and with 
alacrity obey all orders, and do your whole duty as men, and as 
becomes the well-tried garrisons of Forts Jackson and St. Philip. 
Be vigilant, therefore, and stand by your guns, and all will yet be 
well. 

(Signed) J. K. DUNCAN, 

Brig.-gen.^ commanding Coast Defences. 



(Doctiment V.) 

Head-Quarters, Forts Jackson and St. Philip, 

April 28th, 1862. 
To Commodore David R. Porter, 

United States JVavy, 

Commanding 3Iortar Feet : 
Sir : — Upon mature deliberation, it has been decided to accept 

26 



402 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

the terms of sui-render of these forts, under the conditions offered 
by you in your letter of the 26th instant, viz. : that the officers and 
men shall be paroUed — officers retiring with their side-arms. Wf* 
have uo control over the vessels afloat. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient sei'vant, 

EDWARD HIGGINS, 
Lieut.-col. commanding^. 



(Document W.) 

United States Steamer Harriet Lane, 
Forts Jackson and St. Philip, 
Mississippi River ^ April 28, 1862. 

By articles of capitulation, entered into this the twenty-eighth day 
of April, one thousand eight hundred and sixty-two, between David 
D. Porter, Commander XJ. S. Navy, commanding U. S. Mortar 
Flotilla, of the one part, and Brig.-gen. J. K. Duncan, commanding 
the coast defences, and Lieut.-col. Edward Higgins, commanding 
Forts Jackson and St. Philip, of the other part, it is mutually 
agreed : 

1st. That Brig.-gen Duncan and Lieut.-col. Higgins shall surren- 
der to the Mortar Flotilla Forts Jackson and St. Philip, the arms, 
munitions of war, and all the appurtenances thereunto belong- 
ing, together with all public property that may be under their 
charge. 

2d. It is agreed by Commander David D. Porter, commanding 
the Mortar Flotilla, that Brig.-gen. Duncan and Lieut.-col. Higgins, 
together with the officers under their command, shall be respected. 
Furthermore, that they shall give their parole of honor not to serve 
in arms against the goverment of the United States, until they are 
regularly exchanged. 

3d. It is further agreed by the. Commander David D. Porter, 
commanding the Mortar Flotilla, on the part of the United States 
Government, that the non-commissioned officers, privates, and 
musicians, shall be permitted to retire on parole, their commanding 
and other officers becoming responsible for them, and that they shall 
deliver up their arras and accoutrements in their present condition, 
provided that no expenses accruing from the transportation of the 
men shall be defrayed by the Government of the United States. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 403 

4th. On the signing of these articles by the contracting parties, 
the fort shall be formally taken possession of by the U. S. naval 
forces composing the mortar flotilla. The Confederate flag shall be 
lowered, and the flag of the United States hoisted on the flag-staffs 
of Forts Jackson and St. Philip. 

In agreement of the above, we, the undersigned, do hereunto set 
om* hands and seals. 

DAVID D. PORTER, 

Commander Mortar Flotilla. 
W. B. RENSHAW, 

Commander TI. iS. JST. 
W. W. WAINRIGHT, 
Xieut. commanding TJ. S. steamer Harriet Lane. 
J. K. DUNCAN, 
Brig.-gen. commanding Coast Defences. 
EDWARD HIGGINS, 
Lieut. -col. C. S. -4., commanding Forts Jackson and St. Fhilip. 

Witnessed by 

Ed. T. Nichols, 

Lietit. commanding U. S. gunboat Winona. 
C. H. Russell, 

Lieut, commanding TJ. S. gunboat Kennebeck, 



Report of Lieut.-col. Ed. Higgins. 

Head-quartbes Forts Jackson and St. Philip, 

April 27, 1862. 
Lieut. W. M. Bridges, ' 

A. A. A.-gen., 2d Brigade, Department No. 1, N. 0. : 

Sir : — I have the honor to report that on Friday, the 18th inst., 
the naval force of the U. S., which has been for some weeks in the 
river, making preparation for an attack on these forts, commenced 
the bombai'draent of Fort Jackson. 

Fire from their mortar fleet was opened at 9 o'lock a. m. The 
force employed by the enemy against us consisted of twenty-one 
mortar vessels and a fleet of about twenty-one steam vessels of war, 
carrying more than two hundred guns of the heaviest calibre. The 
mortar vessels, when they opened fire, were all concealed from our 
view save six, which took position in sight of the forts, and within our 
longest range. These we soon forced to retire. They joined the 



404 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLE8. 

rest of their fleet behind the point of woods, and, concealed from 
view, renewed their fire. 

Orders had been issued to the officers and men of my command 
to retire to the casemates of the forts the moment the bombard- 
ment commenced. The order being obeyed, nothing was left for 
us to do but receive the furious storm of shell which was hailed 
upon us. Our citadel was soon destroyed by fire. All the build- 
ings around and in connection with the fort shared the same fate. 

From Friday morning until the following Thursday, we sustained 
this terrible battering. Several times during the bombardment the 
enemy's gunboats attempted to pass up the river, under cover of 
their mortar fire, and on each occasion our batteries were promptly 
manned, and the enemy's advance gallantly repelled. 

At half past three a. m., on Thursday, it was observed that the 
mortar fire was increased to an intensity of fury which had not 
been previously reached. At the same time a movement was ob- 
served in the steam fleet below. Our batteries were instantly in 
readiness, and were at once engaged in a most terrific conflict with 
the enemy's fleet of fourteen steamships, which, dashing by the fort 
in the darkness of the night, pouring in their broadsides of shot, 
shell, grape, canister, and shrapnel, succeeded in getting beyond 
our range and in our reai*. During the forenoon a demand was 
made by Commodore Porter, commanding the mortar fleet, for a 
surrender of the forts. This proposition was promptly refused, and 
the bombardment was again commenced and continued until four 
P. M., when all firing ceased. 

I inclose you the reports of company and battery commanders, 
also the surgeon's report of killed and wounded. I fully indorse the 
encomiums of the company commanders upon the officers under 
their command, and feel myself bound to record my high admiration 
of the coolness, courage, and fortitude of all the oflficers of both 
forts. 

Capt. J. B. Anderson, company " G," Louisiana artillery, was 
wounded early in the conflict, while heroically fighting his guns. 
Notwithstanding his severe wound, he rendered the most gallant 
and efficient service to the last. 

Capt. W. B. Robertson, who commanded a detached work called 
the water battery, remained with his command during the whole of 
the protracted ordeal, without cover of any kind, although suffering 
from severe physical disease, and scarcely able, at times, to walk 
around his battery. He was most ably and gallantly assisted by 
Capt. R. J. Bruce, Louisiana ai'tillery. 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 405 

First Lieut. Eugene W. Baylor, who was in command of the 42 
pounder barbette battery, and First Lieut. Richard Agar, of the 
same battery, did all that gallant oiBcers and men could do. 

The officers stationed at the heaviest batteries, on the river front, 
were, the greater part of the time, fatigued as they were, obliged 
to be constantly with their detachments at their guns to prevent 
sm-prise. Lieuts. A. N. Ogden, Bevuet Kennedy, and William T. 
Mumford, of the Louisiana artillery, particularly distinguished them- 
selves in this service. 

Although not under ray immediate command, I cannot omit to 
mention the devoted conduct of your aid-de-camp, Lieut. Wm. M. 
Bridges, who, upon the disability of Capt. Anderson, immediately 
volunteered his services, and took charge of the two 10-inch colum- 
biads, and fought them night and day with ceaseless energy. 

Lieut. J. U. Gains, in command of the 32-pounder battery, on 
the river front, assisted by Lieut. E. D. Woodlief, Capt, S, Jones, 
company " I," Louisiana volunteers, Capt. F. Peter, company " I," 
22d regiment, Louisiana volunteers, fought their batteries gallantly 
and well. Lieut. Thomas K. Pierson, 23d Louisiana volunteers, was 
killed in the thickest of the fight, while gallantly fighting his guns. 

The St. Mary's Cannoniers, Capt. S. O. Comay, have my warmest 
gratitude and admiration for their whole conduct, both in face of the 
enemy, and in the severe and arduous fatigue duties, which they 
discharged, always and at all times, with alacrity and energy. They 
are an honor to the country, and well may their friends and relations 
be proud of them. 

The report of Capt. M. T. Squires, who was the senior officer at 
Fort St. Philip, is inclosed, with the reports of the other officers. 
Capt. Squires fought the batteries of Fort St. Philip most gallantly. 
He was in charge of that fort during the whole bombardment. The 
severe work at Fort Jackson required my constant presence there. 
I had every confidence in the coolness, courage, and skill of Capt. 
Squires and his officers, and most satisfactorily did they discharge 
their duties. I refer you to his report for the mention of the indi- 
vidual conduct of his officers. 

The floating battery " Louisiana," the steam ram Manassas, and 
the Confederate steamer McRae, together with a number of vessels 
which had been fitted up by the Confederate and State Governments, 
were in the river above the forts at the time the enemy dashed by. 
I am unable to state what assistance, if any, was rendered by the 
greater portion of these. At daylight I observed the McRae gal- 
lantly fighting, at terrible odds, contending, at close quarters, with 



406 OFFICIAL KEP0KT8 OF BATTLES. 

two of the enemy's powerful ships. Her gallant commander, Lieut. 
Thomas B, Huger, fell, during the conflict, severely, but, I trust, not 
mortally wounded. 

The Manassas I observed under weigh, apparently in pursuit of 
one of the vessels of the enemy, but I soon lost sight of her. 

I would here observe, that I think an investigation should be de- 
manded into the conduct of the authorities afloat, whose neglect of 
our urgent entreaties to light up the river during this sad night 
contributed so much to the success of our enemies. 

My adjutant, Lieut. C. N . Morse, was indefatigable in the discharge 
of his important duties, which required his constant presence near 
my person, and has my sincere thanks. 

Surgeon Sommerville Burke, C. S. A., and Dr. Bradbury (who 
kindly volunteered his services when he became awai*e of the attack 
on the forts), were unremitting in their attention to the wounded, 
fearlessly exposing themselves, at all times, in the discharge of their 
duties. 

Lieut. Charles "Warmes, ordnance oflScer, distinguished himself by 
the self-sacrificing attention to arduous and important duties. Day 
and night he was at his post, and, by his great exertions, our maga- 
zine was saved from being flooded, the water having risen consider- 
ably above the floor. 

Lieuts. Mann and Royster, of Capt. Ryan's company, rendered 
fearless and efficient service. 

Capt. Ryan was with a detachment of his company, on board the 
" Louisiana," during a portion of the bombardment, and in the fight 
of Thursday morning. At all times his sei'vices were most promptly 
rendered. 

Mr. James Ward rendered me the most important services during 
the bombardment. In charge of the firemen, he made almost super- 
human exertions during the burning of the citadel. He has my 
warmest gratitude. 

I have the honor to remain. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

ED. HIGGINS, 
Lieut.- Col. C S. -4., commanding Forts Jackson and St. Philip. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 407 

Supplemental Report of Lieut.-col. Higgins. 

New Orleans, April 30th, 1862. 
To Lieut. Wm. M. Bridges, 

Aid-de-catnj) and A. A. A.-gen.^ 2d Brigade : 

Sir : — I have the honor to report, that on the morning of the 
27th April, 18G2, a formal demand for the surrender of Forts Jack- 
son and St. Philip was made by Com. David D. Porter, commanding 
U. S. mortar fleet. 

The terms which were offered were of the most liberal nature ; 
but so strong was I in the belief that we could resist successfully 
any attack which could be made upon us, either by land or water, 
that the terms were at once refused. Our fort was still strong. 
Our damage had been, to some extent, repaired. Our men had 
behaved well, and all was hope and confidence with the oflicers, 
when, suddenly, at midnight, I was aroused by the report that the 
garrison had revolted, had seized the guard, and were spiking the guns. 
Word was sent us, through the sei'geants of companies, that the men 
would fight no longer. The company oflicers were immediately 
dispatched to their commands, but were driven back. Oflicers were 
fired upon when they appeared in sight upon the parapet. Signals 
were exchanged by the mutineers with Fort St. Philip. The mutiny 
was complete, and a general massacre of the oflicers, and a disgrace- 
ful surrender of the fort, appeared inevitable. 

By great exertion, we succeeded, with your influence, in prevent- 
ing this disgraceful blot upon our country, and were fortunate in 
keeping the passion of the men in check, until we could effect an 
honorable surrender of the forts, which was done by us, jointly, on 
the morning of the 28th inst. 

As the facts and documents relating to this matter are in your 
possession, it is unnecessary for me to dwell longer on this humiliat- 
ing and unhappy affair. I wish to place on record here the noble 
conduct of Capt. Comay's comjiany, the St. Mary's cannoniers — who 
alone stood true as steel, when every other company in Fort Jack- 
son basely dishonored their country. 

I have the honor to remain, very respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 

ED. HIGGINS, Lieut.-col G. S. A., 
Late commander Forts Jiackson and St. Philip. 



408 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Report of Captain M. T. Squires. 

FoKT St. Philip, April 2'7th, 1862. 
Lieut. Charles N. Morse, 

Post-adjutant^ Fort Jackson^ Louisiana : 

Sir : — I have the honor respectfully to submit the following re- 
port : 

Early on the morning of Friday, the 18th instant, perceiving by 
the movements of the enemy, that they were about taking up their 
position, the heavy guns were ordered to open upon them, to annoy 
them in the execution of their purpose as much as possible ; but the 
distance being great, and the range extreme, with but very little 
success, the enemy taking little or no notice of our fire, only answer- 
ing by a few rifle shells, at long invervals. The 13-inch mortar after 
the 13th round became useless, the bed giving way under it, break- 
ing in two, and the mortar coming upon the ground. The enemy 
retired from our sight at 8 o'clock p. m., and nothing more was 
heard of him that night. 

At an early hour of the morning of the 1 9th instant, the enemy 
again took up a position identical with that of the previous, except- 
ing that no mortar boats were on this shore, all keeping close behind 
the point of woods, and opening fire upon Fort Jackson, which was 
allowed to continue without interruption from this side. Fearing 
the efiect, and having ascertained the exact range and distances, 
determined to open upon them, and draw off some of the fire to 
this side, if possible. It was immediately done, and with partial 
success, three of the mortar boats opening upon us with but little 
effect. 

On the 20th, 21st, and 22d, the fire of the enemy still continued 
from their mortar boats, with an occasional shot from the gunboats. 
The only damage done, during these days, was the damaging the 
platform of the 24-pounder gun in salient near main magazine, "the 
shell passing under, and throwing it up, but not rendering it use- 
less. Our fire was slow and deliberate, with no visible results more 
than the driving back of two of the mortar boats, which were par- 
tially exposed around the wooded point. The fire of the enemy, 
although warm, well-directed, and sustained, was, for the most part, 
either short or very much over. Up to this time, the only guns 
used were the columbiad battery in the main work, and the 13-inch 



OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLES. 409 

mortar, disabled on the first day. In the lower water battery, one 
8-inch columbiad and one 7-inch rifle gun, worked by Capt. R. C. 
Bond's company; four 10-inch sea coast mortars, by Capt. J. H. 
Lamon's company. On the 23d, the enemy still kept up a regular 
fire, to which we did not reply all day. At 3 1-2 o'clock of the 
morning of the 24th, the men were ready, and standing at their 
guns, having received information that there was a movement by 
the enemy. No vessels were to be seen, and the first notice of an 
enemy nearing us was the reply to the shots from Fort Jackson, 
and the gunners were ordered to fire by the flashes of the enemy's 
guns, which was done, but the fire was entirely too high, and passed 
over them. Immediately after this, a vessel came in sight, and they 
followed each other in rapid succession, seemingly in pairs, one of 
the two keeping back far enough to enable her to deliver her fire 
from her broadsides. The fire from our guns was rapid, and from 
the little that could be seen and heard, was accurate, but after the 
first discharge, the smoke almost hid them from sight, and we wdre 
again compelled to judge by the flashes of their guns. As to the 
efiect of the fire, it is impossible to state what it was, as the dark- 
ness, aided by the smoke, rendered seeing out of the question. A 
three masted propeller ran ashore during, the engagement, above 
the upper water-battery, and remaining there several minutes with 
a fire- barge alongside, her rigging had caught fire, but was im- 
mediately extinguished. We were not able to open upon her, as 
one of the columbiads had been previously dismounted, and the 
other could not be brought to bear, besides, their hands were full 
w^ith other vessels coming up, and the 24-poimder in the salient of 
the upper water-battery, bearing directly upon her, had been broken 
in too near the trunnions. The vessels passed close under our guns, 
taking advantage of the eddy, which runs up with considerable 
force, and it was found impossible to get more than one or two shots 
at any one vessel, they passed with such rapidity. 

All our guns were worked with courage, energy and skill, except- 
ing the upper water battery, where some confusion arose, caused by 
the men not being so thoroughly drilled as they should have been. 
Company C, of the Confederate Recruits, Lieut. J. K, Dixon, were 
fully prepared to work the guns of this battery, and would have 
done so with efiect, but were two days before ordered on board the 
floating battery " Louisiana," and their place was supplied by Capt. 
Assanheimer's Company B, 24th regiment Louisiana Volunteers, 
who had only been drilled a few times, and Capt. Massicott's com- 
pany D, Chalmette regiment, who were raw undrilled, perfectly 



410 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

ignorant even of the use of the shot guns with which they were 
armed, and had never been drilled at artillery. As soon as it was 
seen that the guns did not open, Lieut. A. J. Quigly, with such men 
as could be gathered, was sent to attend to them, which was done, 
so far as they were concerned, to the satisfaction of that officer. 
The company of Confederate recruits, under Lieuts. Dixon and 
Blow, were detailed to report to Capt. Mitchell, C. S. Navy, for 
duly on board the "Louisiana," as per instructions dated head- 
quarters Forts Jackson and St. Philip, April 21st, 1862, where they 
remained until the evening of the 24th instant. Capt. Lartigue's 
company did good service as scouts and sharpshooters, many of 
them being out at all times. On the night of the 23d, seven of 
them were sent to ascertain the movements of the enemy, and all 
returned without accomplishing any thing. Two other scouts, one 
from company K, and the other of company F, were out on the 
same mission, and had it not been from the failure of the rockets, 
which by an accident became wet, would have signalled their ap- 
proach much sooner. As it was, the only intimation I received was 
the firing of one of their muskets. The following is the number of 
projectiles used, &c. : six hundi-ed and seventy-five (675) 8-inch 
solid shot, one hundred and seventy-one (171) 8-inch shells, thirteen 
13-inch from columbiad battery, &c,, in main work ; one hundred 
and forty-two 10-iuch mortar shells from lower mortar battery, four 
hundred and seventy shot, shell, and grape, lower water battery ; 
one hundred and twenty shot, grape, and canister, from upper water 
battery. Capt. R. C. Bond, assisted by 1st Lieuts. Carleton Hunt 
and Wm. E. Ellis, and his company K, Capt. J. H. Lamon, with 
the assistance of 1st Lieut. H. W. Fowler, with his company C, in 
the lower battery, manning the 42 and 32-pounders respectively ; 
Lieuts. Lewis B. Taylor and W. B. Jones, with company F, at the 
columbiad battery, and Lieut. A. J. Quigly, with supernumeraries 
of company F, taken from main work to man guns of upper water 
battery, behaved with gallantry, energy, coolness, and bravery, 
worthy of imitation ; and all, both officers and men, deserve the 
highest praise that could be given to anyone, for the honorable 
part they performed during the whole time since the commence- 
ment of this trying conflict. Capt. Chas. Assanheimer's company 
B, did their best, both his officers and men. Individual acts of 
heroism are numerous, but where all did so well, it would appear 
invidious to mention names. Suffice it to say, that were every thing 
to be done again, or any thing else required to be performed, one 
could ask no other privilege than to have the same men to do it — 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 411 

feeling satisfied it would be as well carried out as possible. The 
injury to the fort was slight. Of the guns, one banded 7-inch rifle 
was bursted by the explosion of a shell in its bore near the muzzle, 
and one 24-pounder gun was broken in two about 14 inches in 
front of the trunnions, by being struck by a solid shot. An 8-inch 
columbiad was dismounted, but only temporarily useless, the gun 
being uninjured and soon remounted. The platform of one 24- 
l^ounder gun was undermined by a shell, but not rendered entirely 
useless. One of the uprights of a 42-pounder gun-carriage was 
partially shot away, but can still be of service. 

With many thanks to all officers and men for their assistance 
and efficient aid, and humbly bowing before the will of Almighty 
God, 

I am, very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed) M. T. SQTHRES, 

Captain Louisiana Artillery. 



List of Killed and Wounded during the Eight Days 
Bombardment of Fort Jackson. 

i'o Lieut.-col. Ed. Higgins, 

Commanding Forts Jackson and St. Philip : 

April 18. Private Helzel, company D, 1st artillery, contusion, leg. 

" " Fogorty, " " " 

" Capt. J. B. Anderson,'CO. B, " wound in hand. 

" Private Tymon, co. E, " in back. 

« " Friedman, " " in hand. 

« " Shields, " " killed. 

« " O'Brien, St. M. 2 2d La., wound'd in ankle, slightly. 

Wounded 6 Killed 1. 

April 19. Private Clark, company B, 1st artillery, killed. 

" " Tho's. McCarty, " E, " wounded in arm. 

« " Reims, co. St. M. C, wounded in hand and arm. 

« " F. F. Heyle " killed. 

Wounded 2 Killed 2. 

April 20, Corp. Morris, company B, 1st artillery, killed, 

" Private Ashton, " D, " w'd in breast and arm. 
« " Sumkel, " E, " on toe. 

Wounded 2 Killed 1. 



412 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

April 21. Private Reed, company H, Ist artillery, wounded on foot. 

Wounded 1. 
April 22. Private Londenstein, co. Yagers, 22d La. vols., wounded 
on shoulder. 
« " Kelley, St. M. C, 22d La. vols., wounded on foot. 

"Wounded 2. 
April 23. Private JKergan, co. A, 22d La. vols., wounded in back. 

Wounded 1. 
April 24. Private Robert Collier, co. D, 1st art., wounded in face. 



(( 



" Stephen Welsh " 


B, 


(( 


killed. 


" Michael Burke, " 


(( 


(( 


(( 


« WiUiams, " 


D, 


(( 


wounded in knee. 


« Albion Gooch, « 


(( 


(( 


killed. 


Sergeant Williams, " 


E, 


(( 


wounded in eye. 


« Lynch, " 


(( 


(( 


" in stomach 


Private Johnson, " 


C( 


(( 


" in arm. 


Sergeant Jackson, " 


H, 


(( 


(( (( 


Corporal Smith, " 


(( 


(( 


killed. 


Private M. Sullivan, " 


cc 


(( 


w'd in arm and leg. 



Sei^eant Gusman, co. A G. 224 La. vols., " " 

Lieut. Pierson, " " " killed. 

Private Shultz, " " " w'd in hip, dead. 

" J. Benson, « « " kiUed. 

" T. Kroupe, St. M. 23d vols., thigh amputated. 
" Wagner, " " wounded in arm. 

" Alberts, « " " in hand. 

" Z. Drozer, Yagers, 22d La. vols,, w'd in hand & face. 
" F. Bradieaux, St. M. C, wounded on nose. 
" A. Haydel, " " 'in both legs. 

" " A. Whaley, " arm amputated, dead. 

« « E. Hoydel, « kUIed. 

" Lieut. Godeaux, " wounded in hand. 

" Private J. Duffy, 1st art., fractured upper maxillary. 
" " F. Kroupe, St. M. 23d La. vols., wounded on head. 

" Corporal H. Weigand, Yagers, 22d La. vols., on head. 
" Private John Shin, A. G., 22d La. vols., bruised. 
" " James O'Neil, co. H, 1st art., wounded in hand. 

" Corporal J. Harmon, St. M., 23d La. vols., w'd in breast. 

Wounded 21 Killed 9. 

Total wounded 33 Total Killed 9. 

(Signed) SOMERVILLE BURKE, 

Assistant JSurffeon, C. S. A. 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 413 



List of Killed and Wounded in Fort St. Philip, 

Fort St. Philip, April 26th, 1862, 
To Lieut. Charles W. Morse, 

Post Adjutant, Fort Jackson : 

Sir : I have to report two killed and four wounded at Fort St. 
Philip, viz : 

Company D, Chalmette regiment 1 killed. 

" " " " 2 wounded. 

" F, 1st La. artillery 1 killed. 

" K, « " 2 wounded. 

Very respectfully, 
(Signed) CHARLES D. LEWIS. 

Assistant /Surgeon, C. S. A. 



Repoort of Brigadier-general M. L. Smith. 

Camp Moore, Tangipahoa, La., 

May 6th, 1862. 
To Major J. G. Picket, 

Assistant Adjutant-general: 

Major : I herewith submit a report of the operations of the troops 
under my command at the Chalmette and- McGee lines, on the ap- 
proach of the enemy's vessels from Forts Jackson and St. Philip to 
the city of New Orleans. These interior lines of defence are con- 
structed with special reference to an attack by land, but, terminat- 
ing them on the river banks, were two batteries calculated for 
twelve and twenty guns respectively, and at the time of the action 
containing five and nine. Ten 42-pounders, intended for this bat- 
tery, were turned over to the navy for the defence of New Orleans by 
water. This has been considered as depending upon the forts men- 
tioned, which are well constructed, permanent works, rather well 
armed, and far stronger than any other that could be hastily erected. 
"With this view, all the available material, both of guns and ammu- 
nition, had been concentrated there prior to the bombardment, and 
during its continuance was being added to in such quantities daily 
as the means of the department admitted of, it being evident that 



414 OFFICIAL KEP0ET8 OF BATTLES. 

the decisive struggle was there to be made. As soon, therefore, as 
it became certain that the large vessels of the enemy had succeeded 
in passing, there no longer existed a chance of preventing them from 
reaching New Orleans, and the shoi't resistance made by the few guns 
mounted in the two batteries of the interior lines was made through 
a sense of duty, but without any expectation of success, the enemy 
numbering as many vessels, less one, as we had guns. 

On the side of the river, where I was in person during the action, 
were stationed three companies of Lieut.-col. Pinckney's battalion 
of sharpshooters. With the five guns on the other side, were Capt. 
Patton's company of the 2 2d Louisiana volunteers, one company 
from Fort Pike, under Lieut. Butter, one company, Beauregard bat- 
tery, besides two battalions of infantry collected in camp for in- 
struction, as well as to guard the line in case of the enemy's landing 
and attacking by land — all under immediate command of Gen. 
Buisson. 

The enemy's vessels had approached to within about the fourth of 
a mile before we opened on them, the first gun being from Pinck- 
ney's battery, and immediately followed by several from the battery 
on the opposide side, and as promptly replied to from the enemy's 
vessels. The engagement lasted until eveij|^ round of ammunition 
on hand was fired, both ofiicers and men displaying a coolness and 
intrepidity that was gratifying, especially as regards the men, who 
then for the first time in their lives discharged a heavy gun. The 
firing on our side was spirited, perhaps a little uncertain ; on the 
enemy's, heavy and well directed. 

During the engagement their vessels gradually lessened the dis- 
tance, until near enough to open with grape and canister. 

The ammunition being exj^ended, and every sense of duty satis- 
fied, permission was given to Col. Pinckney to withdraw his com- 
mand along the line of field works affording shelter, which was 
done deliberately, officers and men retiring together. The casualties 
were one killed and one wounded. The battery on the Chalmette 
side seemed well served, and no doubt was so, judging from the 
character of the officers present. 

The enemy, steaming up between us and the city, prevented the 
retreat of the troops to that point. They were accordingly direct- 
ed to gain the Opelousas railroad and reach Camp Moore via La- 
fourche, or such route as might be found best. Lieut.-col. Pinck- 
ney has already reported with his command, but somewhat reduced 
in numbers. 

Li concluding this report, I wish particularly to call attention to 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 415 

the admirable assistance rendered by Lieuts. McDonald and B. M. 
Harrod, on engineer duty, both before and after the action. Their 
conduct could not have been better. Lieut. Frost, on special duty, 
was also of material assistance, but in carrying out some instruc- 
tions, was accidently absent during the engagement. 

Having received no report from Gen. Buisson concerning the 
operations on his side of the river, I am unable to refer to them 
more particularly. 

Respectfully submitted. 

M. L. SMITH, 
Brig.-gen. commanding 3rd Brigade. 



REPORT OF THE AFFAIR AT SOUTH MILLS. 



report of major-gen. huger. 

Head-quarters Department of Norfolk, 

Norfolk, Va., April 28, 1862. 
Gen. R. E. Lee, 

Commanding, etc, : 

General : — I have received through Brig.-gen. Blanchard, com- 
manding 3d brigade, the reports of Col. A. R. Wright, and Col. 
Ferebee, commanding the drafted North Carolina militia, and Lieut. 
D. A. French, who succeeded to the command of the battery after the 
death of its gallant captain, McComas. I would forward these re- 
ports to you at once, but there are some discrej^ancies and omissions 
in them which I desire first to have corrected, and will therefore try 
to make a brief statement from these reports, to give you and the 
War Department information concerning this severe and well-fought 
action, which was successful, inasmuch as the enemy failed to ac- 
complish his object, and was obliged to retire to his vessels with 
great loss. 

I send herewith a sketch of the country between South Mills and 
Elizabeth City, showing the jjosition of the battle. 

All the forces under the command of Col. Wright were the 3d 
regiment Georgia volunteers, some drafted militia, under Col. Fere- 
bee, of North Carolina, (Col. Ferebee omits to state in his report 
how many he had on duty,) McComas' battery of arttUery, 1 1 rifled 



416 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

pieces and 3 bronze 6-pounders, and one company of cavalry — Capt. 
Gillette's Southampton company. On Friday, the 18th, I had or- 
dered forward the 3 2d N. C. regiment, (Col. Brabbles,) and the 1st 
Louisiana regiment, (Col. Vincent's,) but they did not arrive until 
after the battle. 

On Friday, the 18th, Col. Wright occupied South Mills with 
three companies of his regiment, 160 strong, and the drafted North 
Corolina militia. Two companies at the intrenchments at Richard- 
son's Mills, 125 effectives, and five companies, about 300 men, and 
McCoraas' battery of artillery at Elizabeth City. On Friday even- 
ing, anticipating the enemy's advance, and in compliance with my 
instructions to concenti'ate his forces at or near South Mills, he 
ordered the companies at Elizabeth City to retire nine miles to 
Richardson's Mills. From some cause not yet explained, these 
companies did not leave Elizabeth City until after day-light on Satur- 
day morning. The cavalry companies from Camden court-house 
reported at 8 1-2 o'clock on the 19th, the enemy approaching, hav- 
ing then passed the court-house. Col. Wright moved forward with 
his three companies, and at 9 1-2 was met by Capt. McComas, 
with his battery. After advancing three miles from South Mills, 
the road emerged from the woods, and the fields on the right and left 
extended 160 to 180 yards to thick woods and swamp. On the 
edge of the woods on both sides of the road, and perpendicular to 
it, was a small ditch, the earth froni which was thrown up on the 
south side in a ridge, upon which was a heavy rail fence. From 
this point the road led through a narrow lane (Sawyer's lane) for 
one mile, with cleared land on both sides of it. Here he deter- 
mined to make his stand. About three hundred yards from the 
woods ran a deep, wide ditch, parallel with the one first mentioned, 
and extending to the woods on either side of the road, and a short 
distance beyond it were dwellings and out-houses which would give 
cover to the enemy. Col. Wright therefore ordered them burnt. 
The large ditch in his front he filled with fence rails and set them 
on fire, his object being to have this ditch so hot by the time the 
enemy came up they could not occupy it. (A). This ditch is 
marked on sketch as " roasted ditch." 

Two pieces of artillery (the road was too narrow for more) were 
placed in the road just where it emerged from the woods, which 
commanded the road with the range of the guns. He also threw 
down the fence for 300 yai-ds in front of the guns, and tossed the 
rails into the road to destroy the efiect of the enemy's ricochet fir- 
ing, and to deprive him of the cover of the fences. The fences on 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 417 

the sides of the woods were taken down and laid in heaps on the 
embankment in front of" his men. All these arrangements were 
made, and it was 11 o'clock before he was joined by Lieut.-col. 
Reed and the seven companies from below. Two of these, under 
Major Lee, were placed at River bridge, with one piece of McCo- 
mas' artillery, with directions to destroy it and stoj) the enemy 
there if he should attempt to get into our rear by coming up the 
west side of the river. Lieut.-col. Read and three comj)anies 3d 
Georgia, (and by Col. Ferebee's report, the North Carolina militia,) 
were placed about a mile in the rear at the meeting of an old road, 
to protect that passage and serve as a reserve. The remaining five 
companies were deployed in open order across the road on the 
right and left of the artillery, protected by the ditch and fence rails 
on the banks. The smoke from the burning buildings and fences 
was rolled towards the enemy, thus masking the position. At fif- 
teen minutes before 12 o'clock the front of a heavy column of the 
enemy was seen passing through the smoke, and Capt. McComas 
opened a destructive fire on them, which checked their advance for 
half an hour, when "they again approached under the fire of a 12- 
pounder, but soon retired entirely out of sight in considerable con- 
fusion. Up to three o'clock thrice had the heavy columns of the 
enemy been beaten back by the heavy fire of Capt. McComas' artil- 
lery, and our only casualties one man wounded and one wheel injured. 
At 15 minutes after 3 p. m., the enemy again advanced and de- 
ployed two regiments to their right, our left. Three regiments, 
after advancing towards us, were driven back by the well-directed 
fire of Capt. McComas' artillery, and Capts. Nesbitt's and Mus- 
grove's companies. Capt. McWhirter's fire also caused the Zouaves 
on our right to retire, and this attack ceased by 25 minutes before 
4. Our loss up to this time was very slight, while that of the ene- 
my was very severe, as we could plainly see them fall, and they had 
raised the hospital flag on a building in rear of their line. They 
soon advanced again, two regiments skirting the woods on our left, 
and approached near enough to engage the skirmishers. One com- 
pany from the right was moved over, and Col. Reed ordered to 
send one company from the reserve. The enemy deployed in the 
open field, and bore down rapidly, but the heavy tire of musketry 
caused them to waver, and they fled back to the fence. Three regi- 
ments and a field piece were in the centre, and the 9th New York 
regiment on the right. The fire was now brisk from one end of the 
line to the other, and the enemy were held in check, when, just at 
this moment, Capt. McComas was killed by a minie ball, and his 

27 



418 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

men, who, for four hours, had fought with most indomitable cour- 
age, became panic-stricken, and left the field, taking their pieces 
with them. Col. Wright succeeded in rallying them and getting 
two pieces and a few men in position, and the enemy had advanced 
80 close that canister was fired on them with effect, and they again 
fell back. The ammunition in the limber boxes was exhausted, and 
during the temporary absence of Col. Wright, the artillery left the 
field. The enemy made a charge upon our line, but the steady fire, 
at close distance, (Col. Wright estimates it at 50 yards,) caused 
them to break in confusion, and they fell back. 

Taking advantage of their confusion, Col. Wright now fell back 
in good order to intrenchments'on Joy's creek, about two miles in 
his rear, and called in Lieut.-col. Read's and Major Lee's commands, 
and there awaited the enemy, who, it appears, were so badly injured, 
that they made no advance, but at about 8 p. m. began to retreat 
to their boats. At this time I am informed that several companies 
of the 32d North Carolina regiment joined Col. Wright, who, dur- 
ing the night retired from this position to the N. W. Lock. Col. 
Wright states his loss at six killed, nineteen wounded, and three 
taken prisoners. The enemy's loss he estimates as very large, as 
high as 300. Col. Wright states that the regiments opposed to 
him were the 9th, 21st and 89th New York, and the 21st Massa- 
chusetts, 6th New Hampshire, and 51st Pennsylvania regiments, 
(we have prisoners or wounded of five of these regiments,) the 
whole commanded by Brig.-gen. Reno. 

Among the killed he is grieved to announce the loss of Capt. 
McComas, an estimable gentleman, and brave and skilful oiBcer, 
whose conduct throughout the action elicited the highest praise. 
All the command engaged behaved in the most gallant manner, 
standing firmly against overwhelming odds, until ordered to fall 
back to our intrenchments. They maintained their position over 
five hours, and killed and disabled more of the enemy than we had 
in action. On returning to the field next day, we recovered 1100 
pounds powder, and the arms, accoutrements, .tool?i, etc., left by the 
enemy. I have already reported his leaving such wounded as he 
could not remove, and I have sent them to Fortress Monroe on 
parole. Some ten or twelve stragglers were taken on the 20th, and 
held as prisoners of war. I will forward the original reports as soon 
as they are corrected, and meanwhile submit this as a summary. 
Very respectfully; 

Your obedient servant, 

BEN. HUGER, 
Major.-gen.^ commanding. 



OFFICIAL KEP0RT8 OF BATTLES. 419 



REPORT OF OPERATIONS ON TENNESSEE RIVER 
AND AT BRIDGEPORT. 

Brig.-gen. Leadbettek, Commanding. 



Head-quarterb 1st Brigade, East Tenn., 
Chattanooga, May 5, 1862. 
To Major H. L. Clay, 

Assistant Adjutant- general : 

Major : — I have the honor to report that the enemy, eleven or 
twelve hundred strong, advanced against Bridgeport on the 29th 
ult. My command, guarding the bridges at that place, consisted of 
450 infantry of the newly raised regiments, the Georgia 39th and 
43d, with 150 cavalry employed only as scouts. The infantry was 
posted on the heights in advance of the West bridge, about 500 
yards distant, leaving a rear guard of 50 men near the bridge end 
and on either side of it, covered by musketry breastworks. Two 
iron six-pounders, old guns, had been placed in the position last 
named, but were withdrawn as soon as the enemy's advance had 
developed itself as an attack. 

You are aware that a defence of the place by a small force was 
very difficult. The two bridges, with the high railroad embank- 
ment between them, were a mile and a quarter long, extending in 
one straight line towards the heights before mentioned, and these 
heights were of far too great extent to be properly occupied and 
held by our forces. The enemy could advance in any direction on 
our front and flanks, and cut off our troops from the bridge, or else 
drive them to a disastrous retreat, under a fire destructive to their 
only avenue of escape. To have placed our men at the bridge end 
and along the river bank, would have been to subject them to a 
plunging fire from the heights, together with the disadvantages be- 
fore mentioned. On the island, or at the east shore of the river, 
they would have occupied low ground and been unable to protect 
the West bridge against surprise and destruction. Finding, at 5 
p. M., that the enemy were near at hand, the two guns wei'e removed 
on a platform car, and immediately after, the troops were defiled 



420 OFFICIAL KEP0ET8 OF BATTLES. 

across, the rear guard only remaining. At this time I crossed at 
the east end of the West bridge, in order to see that every thing 
was prepared for blowing up a span ; and while examining the 
magazine within the bridge, the enemy opened fire, apparentl)! 
with a rifled gun and howitzer. Ascending to the roadway, I found 
the rear guard crossing the bridge at double-quick, and at the same 
time obsei'ved some ten or twelve of our scouts at six or eight hun- 
dred yards south-west of the bridge end, hastening to cross. After 
waiting a reasonable time, and finding that they had apparently 
decided not to move, I ordered the fuse to be shortened and fired. 
This was done by Lieut. Margraves, of the sappers and miners, 
assisted by one man of his company. The charge which was ex- 
ploded, consisted of two hundred pounds of powder in one mass, 
but from the difficulty of confining it, the efiect was not such as 
had been hoped for, and the span did not fall, I determined, there- 
fore, to carry out the spirit of your instructions, and to burn the 
East bridge. With the assistance of Capt. Kane, of the artillery, 
and Lieut. Margraves, it was soon in flames and impassable to the 
enemy. During the retreat of the rear guard and the burning of 
the bridge, the enemy kept up a warm fire of shells along the line 
of the track, but fortunately with little efiect. Only two of our 
infantry were hit and slightly wounded by fragments. Finding 
that the enemy was advancing his guns upon the island, and direct- 
ing his fire towards our encampment, which had never been removed 
to the west bank, the tents were ordered to be struck and be pre- 
pared to move. This was an immediate necessity, and regarding 
the position there untenable, I determined to evacuate it. As 
the receipt of supplies depended on the integrity of the railroad 
track to Chattanooga, and the road at several points touches the 
river bank, it Avould have been easy for the enemy to cross above 
us, destroy the track or bridges, or else plant his guns on the 
opposite side so as to command the road, closing it to the passage 
of trains. • We would thus have been compelled to retire, perhaps 
across the mountain eastward, leaving the road to Chattanooga 
open. I preferred to retire to Chattanooga, disembarrassing our- 
selves of sick, wounded, and baggage, and then returning to a 
favorable point on the road, hold the enemy under observation, 
always hoping for reinforcements. If he advanced, it was reasonably 
expected it would be with his whole force of 5,000 men. Being 
unable to find the telegraph or the operator, removed from Bridge- 
port in the retreat, and esteeming it my duty to communicate to 
you, at the earliest practicable moment, this movement of the 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 421 

enemy, I came up on the train of that evening, bringing up the sick, 
some men unfortunately wounded by raih'oad accident, and about 
half of the command. A train was sent down for the remainder as 
soon as possible, and it brought up also the baggage. 

Before the attack, two old iron 6-pounders of Kane's battery had 
been planted on the east bank, in the only place available, but very 
difficult of access, and were abandoned under the enemy's fire and 
the heat of the burning bridge. The dispositions made occupied 
the 30th, and as our whole force, 450 men, composed the brigade of 
Col. A. W. Reynolds, then serving on court martial, but naturally 
anxious to be in the field, I ordered him forward to Whiteside, a 
strong position fourteen miles towards Bridgeport, on the 1st inst. 
He was directed to observe the enemy, and to retard his advance 
if practicable. In the mean time I had been advised by Col. Glenn, 
under date of the 30th, at Dalton, that he would bring on his un- 
armed regiment as soon as transportation could be procured, and he 
was confidently expected on the 1st instant. It wa'S necessary to 
collect the arms belonging to the sick of the 39th and 40th Georgia 
regiments, and with them to arm Col. Glenn's command. This I 
undertook, with the purpose of moving on promptly to Col. Rey- 
nolds' support. Col. Glenn arrived on the 2d, and was soon armed 
and supplied with ammunition, but the tenor of Col. Reynolds' dis- 
patches during the day was such, as to lead me to think it judicious 
to hold the regiment disposable, lest the enemy should move up on 
the west side, and attempt to cross near Chattanooga. About 10 
o'clock that night, I received from him the following dispatch : 

General Lbadbetter : 

Scouts came in from Kelly's Ferry, reported on reliable informa- 
tion that the enemy, five thousand strong, had crossed at Shell 

Mound. ,. 

9 A. W. REYNOLDS, Colonel commanding. 

I answered : If you are satisfied your information is reliable, burn 
all the bridges on the railroad and country roads, and fall back with 
your command to Lookout Mountam. I will meet you there with 
Col. Glenn's regiment. 

W. LEADBETTER, Brigadier-general. 

The point indicated is close to the Tennesse river, where the rail- 
road and all the country roads intersect each other. To this dis- 
patch, the Colonel replied that he would move accordingly. About 



422 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

4 o'clock A. M., of the 3d, we met there, and having selected the 
best line of defence, too extensive, however, for our force, I placed 
the men in position, and a bridge on the country road over Look- 
out creek, in front, was burned. I also ordered the railroad bridge 
over the same creek to be burned, as soon as our pickets should 
have come in. Col. Reynolds then proceeded to town. This rail- 
road bridge was actually not burned till late in the day, but I was 
on the mountain, and supposed it had been destroyed early. After 
receiving positive information, therefore, at 1 p. m., that the force 
of the enemy on this side of the river was small^ the order for the 
destruction of the bridge was not countermanded. It will be 
restored by means of trestle work in a few days. 

The series of events, thus related, has excited the utmost indigna- 
tion of a terrified people, and no abuse, whether of a personal or 
official bearing, has been spared me. Aware, as I am, that all the 
troops under your command were requii'ed at other points, and that 
you expected the approach of the enemy to be retarded in this 
quarter, mainly by the destruction of the bridges, I shall endeavor 
to endure this storm of obloquy, with such equanimity as may be 
vouchsafed to me. 

On Saturday morning, the enemy set fire to the west bridge at 
Bridgeport, and it was wholly destroyed. Soon after, they evacu- 
ated the place precipitately, and at the last advices from Stevenson, 
were hastening their departure from that point. 
I am, sii", very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

D. LEADBETTER, 

Brigadier-general. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 423 



REPORT OF THE AFFAIR AT PRINCETON. 



keport of beig.-gen. humphrey marshall. 

Camp near Jeffersonville, Va., 

May 22, 1862. 
To R. E. Lee, 

Commanding^ <£'c., Ridmiond: 

General : In my last letter I advised you that the opportune re- 
turn of Brig.-gen. Heth with his force to Dublin depot rendered 
it unnecessary for rae to proceed in that direction. But I ventured 
to suggest to that officer, that a lateral movement, by me, cutting 
the line of the enemy's communication at Princeton, might assist 
him materially in clearing the country of the column which was en- 
deavoring to penetrate to the railroad. Gen. Heth approving the 
idea, I moved my whole force at once, via Saltville, towards this 
place, arriving here on the 12th instant. I took the responsibility 
of ordering to the field some skeleton companies, just recruited, and 
intended to form part of a new regiment, authorized by an order of 
the Secretary of War, of 9th April, issued to Major McMahon, 
formerly Gen, Floyd's Aid-de-camp. This corps, composed of seven 
companies, so called, did not number more than four^hundred men, 
and none of them were trained at all. Under my order, they elected 
a lieutenant-colonel, for the time, only to lead them on this expedi- 
tion. I also took the responsibility of placing in their hands the old 
muskets turned in to Gen. Dimmock by Col. Trigg, which I found 
at Abingdon. I left Abingdon with a force composed of the 54th 
Virginia, six hundred men ; the 29th Virginia, four hundred and 
twenty men ; (four companies, wholly recruits, three raised by me 
this spring, and one by lieut. March) ; the 5th Kentucky, five hun- 
dred men ; Dunn's battalion of recruits, four hundred men ; Brad- 
ley's Mounted Kentucky Rifles, about two hundred and seventy-five 
men, making an aggregate of two thousand one hundred and nine- 
ty-five men, to which, add Jeff'ree's battery of six pieces, manned by 
recruits almost entirely. 



424 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Gen. Heth desired a delay of a day or two to reorganize the com- 
panics in Floyd's brigade, which were under his command. Having 
dispatched couriers to Col. Wharton, directing him to meet me in 
Princeton, on tlie night of the 16th, by advancing from Rocky 
Gap; and, having informed Gen. Heth (who was in position at the 
mouth of Wolf creek), that he should attack the enemy at the 
mouth of East river, on the morning of the 17th, I put my column 
in motion on the 15th, and reached Princeton on the night of the 
16th. My advance was unexpected by Brig.-gen. Cox, who had 
his head-quarters and body guard at Princeton at the time, with a 
force variously estimated at from five hundred to twelve hundred 
men — the former probably nearer the truth than the latter. The 
jjickets of the enemy were encountered by my advance guard about 
four miles from Princeton, and a skirmish continued from that place, 
through the woodlands and brushwood, to a point something over 
one mile from the court-house. This skirmish was conducted by the 
5th Kentucky, from which I lost Capt. Leonidas Elliott, who fell 
mortally wounded (since dead) at the head of his company, while 
bravely beating the enemy back. In this skirmish the enemy lost 
some sixteen or twenty, who were left on the field. We had only 
four wounded, including Capt. Elliott. None killed. I directed 
Col. Trigg to move on the right of the 5th Kentucky and take the 
enemy in flank, and so to press on to Princeton. Arriving at the 
hill (subsequently occupied by me), from which the land drops into 
the level vale, in which Princeton stands, a halt was ordered by 
Brig.-gen. Williams, and a line of battle formed, with a view of 
bringing up the artillery to shell the town from that point. I 
thought it best to take the place by small arms, and though day- 
light was now»nearly gone, I ordered the battalions forward ; Trigg 
leatling to the right ; May next ; Moore's and Bradley's men next, 
so as to move on the place through the meadows and by the road 
we had travelled. In half an hour, a sharp, hot fire on the right, an- 
nounced Col. Trigg in contact with the enemy. Fire, from a regi- 
ment, is seldom more steady than this I refer to. Succeeded by a 
general shout, and then by absolute silence, which lasted at least an 
hour and a half before I received any message from the troops in 
front, really, I did not know but that we had met a check, and that 
regimental commanders were arranging for a new assault. As 
every tiling had to be left to them, under such circumstances, I 
Avaited about half a mile from town, placing my battery in position, 
at once, to command the town and our road. I supported the bat- 
tery with Dunn's battalion. After a while I was informed that the 



OFFICIAL KEP0RT8 OF BATTLES. 425 

enemy had fled before us, leaving his tents, clothes, swords, oflScers' 
uniforms, and even the lights burning in his tents. 

It is probable had we not halted before nightfall, we might have 
captured many prisoners, possibly the General himself; for I was 
•nformed he did not leave town until twilight. But none of us 
could foresee, and so far as I know, every one acted for the best. 
The regiments went in with hearty good will and promptly. Major 
Bradley lost one of his men, Weeden, of Halladay's company. 
Trigg had some six men wounded, one of whom, private Carter of 
company I, was mortally wounded. So the town of Princeton fell 
into my hands about 10 p. m., on the 16th of May; the Hne of the 
enemy's communication with Raleigh was cut, and the head-quar- 
ters of the " Kanawa Division" was abruptly stampeded. A mass 
of correspondence fell into my hands. Letters and orders, dated 
from the 10th down to the 16th of May, fully disclose the intentions 
of the enemy and his strength. I send you several of these for 
your perusal. I learned from the inhabitants of Princeton that on 
the morning of the 15th, the two regiments, about 900 men each, 
had passed through town towards East river, and that two regi- 
ments had been expected to arrive at 8 p. m., from Raleigh, the 
very evening I came. I had a knowledge that one or more regi- 
ments had passed on to the mouth of East river, by the road from 
Dunlap, wnthout coming through Princeton. Combining the infor- 
mation I had from the letters captured with the news I received 
from the people in Princeton, I learned that I was in the neighbor- 
hood of at l«ast four regiments, of which Gen. Heth had no knowl- 
edge. My own position had suddenly become very critical. I had 
only heard from Col. Wharton that he had not passed East river 
mountain on the morning of the 15th. He had not arrived at 
Princeton on the night of the 16th, as I had directed and desired. 
I did not know the direction in which Gen. Cox had retired, wheth- 
er to East river or Raleigh ; but whether in the one or the other 
direction, I had no assurance but that the morrow would find me 
struggling with my force, more than half of whom were undrilled 
recruits, against largely superior numbers of well trained troops, 
of every arm. Casting about as well as I could at night, to catch 
an idea of the topography, I found that the ruins of Princeton occu- 
py a knoll in the centre of some open level meadows, entirely sur- 
rounded by woodlands, with thick undergrowth, which fringe the 
open grounds, and that through the entire circuit about the town, 
the central position at the court-house can be commanded by the 
Enfield rifle. Roads lead in through these woods in several direc- 



i 

426 OFFICIAL EEP0RT8 OF BATTLES. 

tions. My men had marched 1 9 miles during the day, had slept 
none, and were scattered among the houses and tents, to discover 
what had been left by the enemy. I at once determined to with- 
draw from the ruins before dawn, and to take position within range 
of the town site, so as to cover the road by which I entered. Thi^ 
I effected, the dawn finding me in the act of completing the oper- 
ation. My force w-as marched from the town. After daylight I 
received a dispatch from Col. Wharton, dated the 16th, at the cross 
roads, eleven miles from Princeton, promising to come to town by 
9 A. M. on the 17th. Before he arrived, the enemy had re-entered 
the town, a force I could not estimate, but which was provided with 
artillery, and displayed more than two full regiments. Col. Whar- 
ton arrived in the neighborhood by the road leading in from the 
cross roads, a little after 9 a. m. The enemy was at the time throw- 
ing forward his skirmishers, to dispute with mine the woods and 
points overhanging the road, which led in from the cross roads to 
Princeton, which road ran nearly parallel to the one by which I 
had advanced. I had written to Col. Wharton to press on, and he 
would have the enemy in flank. The Col. opened with his single 
piece of artillery, a little after nine, upon my right, and the batter- 
ies in town and at my position at once oj^ened upon each other at 
long range. Col. Wharton soon came to me to report his position 
and force. . The force was about 800 men. My estimate is, I now 
bad some 2,800 men, of whom one-half were raw recruits. A regi- 
ment of the enemy coming down from the direction of the cross 
roads to Princeton, about this time, appeared in the*rear of Col. 
Wharton's command, and were attacked by it furiously. The 
struggle lasted but a short time. The havoc in the enemy's ranks 
was terrible. Col. W. reports to me 211 as the dead and wounded 
of the enemy. I understand that more than 80 bodies were buried 
on the field. The enemy appeared with a flag of truce, asking to 
bury their dead, and to remove their wounded. I refused, but 
hearing, after about an hour, that some officer had allowed it^ and 
that the enemy were then engaged in burying, I directed Brig.-gen. 
Williams to permit the ambulances of the enemy to pass along my 
right, for the purpose of carrying away the wounded, also. There 
was no further battle. I waited for news from Brig.-gen, Heth, 
or to learn of his approach to Princeton, as the signal for a general 
engagement with the enemy. If Brig.-gen. Heth had successfully 
attacked at the mouth of East river in the morning, as requested to 
do, he might be hourly expected to communicate his approach to 
Princeton, by his couriers or his artillery. If he had not attacked, 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 427 

but was still at the mouth of "Wolf creek, it would be imprudent 
in rae to assail the enemy, for the probability was strong that he 
would hazard the assault himself against any position, attempting 
to beat me, while he preserved his front against Heth. 
' If Gen. Heth could, by means of my diversion, get through the 
narrows of New river, our forces should join the rjjght of the iVth, 
and then, combined, we could fight on the l8th the whole force of 
the enemy, and, if successful, could pursue his vanquished column 
to Raleigh, burn his stores, and press our advantage as far as we 
desired. This was my reasoning. I would not move upon the 
town in the evening of the 17th ; 1st, because the result would then 
be problematical, and that problem would likely be favorably solved 
on the arrival of Gen. Heth's command. A grand result would 
then be easily obtained. Had I attacked under the circumstances, 
and had I failed, nothing could Ijave shielded me from condemna- 
tion as a rash oificer, who perilled all and lost all, when a few more 
hours would have doubled his force. I confidently expected at 
nightfall on the iVth, that the enemy, in superior force, would at- 
tack me in the morning, or that a junction with Gen. Heth would 
enable me to attack his whole force, which was apparently concen- 
trated around Princeton. He was in plain view under my glass — 
his wagons deliberately parked, his regiments exercising, and all 
the appearances given which indicate the purpose to give battle. 
My forces were masked to him. He could have no idea of its 
amount. In this fact was my safety, until Heth could come up. It 
seems Brig.-gen. Heth did advance to the mouth of the East river, 
and found the enemy had abandoned tents and camp equipage, both 
there and at French's, where he had been fortifying. The Gen. 
passed on until he came within four or five miles of Princeton, on 
the evening of the IVth, when, hearing in the country from some- 
body that I had been repulsed and was retreating, he fell back in 
the night to the mouth of East river. His courier arrived at my 
position, (one mile from the court-house) about 9 a. m., on the 18th, 
conveying to me the information that Gen. Heth's force was now 
so required in another direction as to forbid further pursuit of the 
enemy, with a request to return Col. Wharton to a post in the dis- 
trict of New river, indicated by the General commanding said 
district. The enemy had, during the night, vacated Princeton, 
taking the Raleigh road, his rear passing Blue Stone river about 
sun-rise. I ordered my battalion of Mounted-Rifles to follow him. 
I ascertained that on the night of the 18th he encamped about 10 
miles from Princeton, in a very strong position, having some seven 



428 OFFICIAL KEP0ET8 OF BATTLES. 

reo-iments with him in retreat, in all from five to seven thousand 
men. On the 19th I again sent forward on his line of retreat, and 
ascertained that he had passed the Flat Top mountains, had burned 
some of his caissons and gun-carriages, and had abandoned some 
of his wagons the preceding night. He was now twenty-five miles 
from Princeton. Nothing was now left to me but to return to the 
district whose interests are under my charge. I left a company of 
mounted men at Princeton, with orders to remain until Gen. Heth 
could relieve them, and with the rest of my command I returned 
to this point. I left VI of the enemy wounded in hospital at Prince- 
ton, too badly shot to be moved at all. His surgeons were left in 
attendance, and a chaplain was permitted to be with them. I re- 
turn a list of 29 prisoners. The men themselves have been march- 
ed to Abingdon, where three others from the same army have been 
confined, whose names you have already. My quarter-master has 
made return of our captures, among which I may mention about 
35 miles of telegraph wire, horses, mules, saddles, pack-saddles, 
medical instruments, medicines in panniers, tents, a few stores, 18 
head of cattle, a number of wagons, and some excellent muskets 
and rifles. These last have been taken in charge by my ordnance 
officers, and will be issued to my command, unless otherwise or- 
dered. 

Reviewing the whole movement, I have only to regret that Brig.- 
gen. Heth did not join me on the 17th, and did not communicate to 
me his whereabouts during the day or night. All was accomplished 
that I anticipated from the movement, except the capture of p>risoners. 
The invasion has been signally repulsed, and the enemy has been 
demoralized and broken. The country he threatened so imminently 
has been relieved. It is a triumph of strategy merely, without loss 
on our part. My list of casualties will only exhibit two killed on 
the field, and two seriously wounded, who will die ; and some ten 
or twelve wounded, but not dangerously. The enemy has lost 
largely ; and indeed I should not be surprised if, in killed and 
wounded, his loss reaches four hundred. One of his regiments 
scattered in the woods, threw away guns and uniforms, and its 
members are daily picked up by the country people. 
Your obedient servant, 

H. MARSHALL, 
Brigadier-general^ commanding. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 429 



Articles Captured from the Enemy at Princeton, Virginia. 

Camp at Tiffany's, May 21, 1862. 
Brigadier-general Marshall, commanding^ &c. : 

General : I have to report the following articles caiJturecl from 
the enemy at Princeton, Va., on the 16th and iVth instant, viz: 
12 bell tents. 
2 wall tents and flies. 
5 horses. 
18 mules. 
35 pack saddles. 
4 wagons. 
A lot of incomplete harness. 

Respectfully 

W. F. FISHER, 
Major and Chief Q. Jf., Army E. Ky. 



List of Prisoners Captured at Princeton, Mercer County, 

Virginia. 

May 16, 17, 18, 1862. 
Of the 2mh Ohio^ Colonel Ifoore : 

Private Charles Cross Company G. 

" Daniel Chantemp " 

" John Yagel % Company H. 

« H.A.Miller 

" Charles Hertwick Company F. 

" Christian Ludwig Company C. 

Corpor'l John Keen " 

I2th Ohio^ Colonel White: 
Private John Klein Company E. 

Z^th Ohio^ Colonel Seiber. 

Private Frederick Rock Company A. 

« M. Kohl 

" Thomas Kemper Company C. 

" Frank Krobs Company K. i 

" Henry Bergeichen Company F. 



430 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Private Paul Kapff Company H. 

« Charles Groth " 

Corpor'l Jacob Rauft " 

Private Henry Rothenberg Company K. 



2Bd Ohio, Colonel Scammon. 

Private Leonard Beck Company C. 

« W.B.Waterhouse " 



SUh Ohio, Colonel Pratt. 

Captain O. P. Evans Company B. 

Private George W. Thompson Company K. 

" David Coleman .• . Company C. 

" Frank M. Curl Company F. 

" Anthony Eblehart " 

" Michael Kelly Company I. 

*' Jacob Fasnacht " 

" M. A, Blakeman Company D. 

2d Virginia Cavalry, Colonel Bowles. 
Private Robert Murphy (Irishman) Company K. 

Camp near Jeffersonville, Va. 

The above is a list of prisoners, ixcept one wounded man, in 
hospital, whose name I have not yet learned. They consist of seven- 
teen Germans, one Irishman, and ten native Ohioans. Some of the 
Germans are not naturalized. Besides these, there are two citizens 
of Mercer county, not reported herein, taken up on charge of dis- 
loyalty, 

HIRAM HAWKINS, 
Major and Officer of the Day. 

General Marshall. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 431 



LETTERS FOUND IN GEN. COX'S CA5IP 

Head-quarters 23d Reg't O. V. Inf., TJ. S. A. 
Adj'ts Office, Camp at mouth of East River, 

May 14thfl862. ^ 

My Dear Parents : — I again sit dowu, pen in hand, to inform 
you of my whereabouts. I wrote you a letter while I was at Prince- 
ton, inclosing you $10, and, I believe, informing you that the regi- 
ment had left Princeton for Giles Court House, (or, as it is more 
properly called, Pearisburg.) I was left behind to take care of the 
tents and office, until the train could come back, and move us on. 
I left there on the 10th inst., and we had not proceeded but a few 
miles, when we met a courier with dispatches, saying that our regi- 
ment had been attacked at Pearisburg, and driven back. He said 
they had retreated about five miles. The rebel force was about 
4000, and 6 pieces of artillery. They drove in our pickets about 
daylight, and as our men had no artillery with them, were obliged 
to retreat. Therefore, Col. Hayes ordered the regiment to fall back, 
which was done in good order, our men fighting as they fell back, 
and fairly mowing the rebels down. As soon as they could get 
their cannon to bear on us, they commenced shelling us, but they 
were very poor artillerists, as mosf'of their shells burst 30 feet over 
the boys' heads. As it was, there was only one man killed, and a 
number wounded. The regiment would never have been driven 
back, if our artillery had been sent up when it ought to have been. 
Our regiment is now encamped about 12 miles from Pearisburg. 
We will have a veiy strong force when we move forward again — 
enough to take Pearisburg, and go right on to Newbern. There 
are now here 3 regiments, viz. : 23d, 12th, and 30th, which form the 
1st brigade, under Col. E. P. Scammon. 

There are 6 more regiments expected up here in a day or two, 
the 26th, 34th, 27th, 48th, 47th, and 25th, which will form the 2d 
and 3d brigades, besides, about 4 regiments of cavalry, and a num- 
ber of batteries of artillery — in all, about 12,000 effective men, com- 
manded by Brig.-gen. Cox. The 23d will have the post of honor — 
the advance. Our boys captured a quantity of secesh money — Jeflf 
Davis' scrip, at Pearisburg, in the bank. The people around there 
would not take our Treasury notes, they bad rather have Jefl' Davis' 
scrip. You may bet we were willing. We go out into the country 



432 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

and buy chickens with it, and they will give us silver in exchange, 
if our purchases do not come to the full amount of the bill. I will 
inclose you one of them. 

I received a letter from Helen, while at Princeton, the day after I 
had written one to her. I will write again, soon. Direct your next 
letter to Pearisburg, Va. Be sure and write the number of the 
reo"iment plain, as there are so many of us here, now, there will be 
s\, good tnany mistakes. Write as soon as you can. Remember me 
to everybody, and believe me, 

Your affectionate son, 

H. O. LOOMIS, 
Care of Lieut. M. G. Avery, Adft 23d regimoit 0. K, 

Pearisburg Va. 



Princeton, W. Va., 

May the 16th, 1862. 
Deae Sister : — I take my pen in hand, to write you a few lines, 
to let you know where, and how I am. I am well, and I hope you 
are the same. I have received three letters from you since I have 
written one. The reason I don't write oftener is, that I don't have 
time. I am now in Princeton, Mercer county, Virginia. There are 
six thousand soldiers here. Wa expect to have a big battle in two 
or three days. The secesh are only ten miles from us, well fortified, 
and ten thousand strong, and they can be reinforced in twelve hours, 
while we can't get reinforced in twelve days. I think we will have 
a hard fight of it. If we take them, the fight may be over before 
you get this. We have marched fifty miles in two days. Our com- 
pany ain't with the regiment now, but we will be to-morrow ; then 
we will- march in on them. The regiments are the 34th, 37th, 28th, 
30th, 23d, and 12th, and one battalion cavalry, and two batteries. 
Henry Secrist is in one of the batteries. I saw all the boys in com- 
pany H ; they are all well. I haven't heard from Marcus or Andrew 
Griffiin, since I left Bai'boursville. I would like to hear from them, 
but I don't know where they are now. Dave Lemon is working on 
the telegraph, helping to put it up. I am glad to hear that Georgia 
is well, and that mother got the money I sent her. Send me a dol- 
lar's worth of postage stamps. I havn't time to write any more. 
Direct to 

LEWIS BOYD, 
Co JB, 3ith regiment^ Western Fa., by way of Gauley Bridge. 



official eeports of battles. 433 

Camp East River, in the Mountains, 

May 14th, 1862. 

Dear Friend Abner : — You will please pardon me for not writ- 
ing to you sooner, in answer to yours trom Washington. I did not, 
however, get it till it was an old letter, as it was directed to Charles- 
ton, and not in care of the regiment, and lay in the post office for 
some time before I got it. So I thought best to wait till we got on 
the march, and I might, perhaps, have more of interest to tell you. 

Well, here we are, within three miles of the enemy, in force, and 
strongly fortified, with a much larger force than we have now, from 
what we can learn, and can receive reinforcements at any time, by 
rail road from Richmond. They would only have to march about 
twenty-five miles, to get here from Newbern depot. Besides, we 
are without tents, and but very little provisions, and raining. So, 
you see, we are in a deplorable fix, " ain't we ?" But we are active 
foragers, and as long as there is any thing in the mountains to eat, 
we are not going to starve. And we have got so used to the rain, 
that we can sleep about as well when the rain is pouring down upon 
us, as when it is clear star-light. So that, notwithstanding the dis- 
couraging appearance of things, we are in good spirits, and expect 
to be in Newbern in a few days, and then we will have plenty to 
eat, tents to sleep in, and ride on the railroad, " perhaps." We 
left Charleston on the 3d, leaving every thing behind, except what 
we really had to have. The road, most of the way, is rather rough, 
being up one mountain side and down the other, the entire way. 
We found the country very poor, and but few inhabitants on the 
route ; the houses being of the very poorest description, and many 
of them being deserted, having been occupied by secesh. We came 
through Fayetteville, Berkley, and Princeton — the latter town had 
been burned by the rebels, on the approach of our advance, they 
having had several skirmishes on the way. The 23d O. V. I. were 
in advance, with the 2d battalion, V. V. M. R., and had advanced 
to Giles, the next county seat, and had captured a large amount of 
provisions, etc., but being without artillery support, were driven 
out the day previous to our arrival, and had to fall back to this 
point, the mouth of East river, (that is, if I have been correctly in- 
formed as to the name of the stream, which empties into New river 
here.) We are within about eight miles of Giles, and we have to 
go through what is called the Narrows—a passage through a very 
high mountain range, through A\hich New river runs— the road 
running with the river. At this place, the rebels are now fortified,. 

28 



434 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

and receiving reinforcements, and seem determined to prevent our 
o-oino- throush. But I guess we will not go back from here with- 
out a little fight, even should we not get to our destination (New- 
bern). The object of this expedition is to cut off the retreat of the 
enemy from Richmond. It is rather a dangerous undertaking, as 
the enemy can turn all the force against us, if they have a mind to, 
it beino- tlieir direct route southward by railroad. If Ave don't 
have to lay here too long waiting for our other force, I have no fear 
of our success. All depends upon our getting there before the 
rebels can reinforce sufficient to keep us back. I am fearful, how- 
ever, that we have been laying here too long now, but we were 
almost worn out on arriving here, having made a forced march of 
nearly a hundred and fifty miles in 8 days, and being destitute, as I 
before said, of every thing, it was impossible to go any further with 
an enemy, at the same time to drive him ahead of us, stronger than 
we were. Ithinh we'll move to-night ; I dare not tell you lohat 
our force is till ^uoe get through. We are in Col. Scammon's brig- 
ade, and in Gen. Cox's division. I have no idea what is going on 
any where in the world but here. I am in hopes, however, that 
Richmond is in our possession by this time, and, also, the Mississippi 
valley, to the Gulf If so, the rebellion is killed, and if there is any 
more fighting, it will be guerrilla warfare. 

But I must conclude this disconnected scranvl. I thought, per- 
haps, I could write a letter when I undertook it, but I am in a 
wagon loaded with feed, and a little almost of every thing else, with 
liorses hitched to it, and a lot of teamsters climbing in and out, and 
gassing and cursing around me so, that it is impossible for me to 
write. I will try and do better next time, when I will try and find 
time to write when it ain't raining. My love to my folks at home, 
and everybody else. Please write soon. Direct to Charleston, 
Va,, to follow the regiment. 

Yours, respectfully, 

LEM. M. MICHAEL. 



OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 435 



REPORT 

Of engagement with small boat of the enemy on 
Crooked River. 

Captain Halet T. Blocker, commanding. 



Head-qtjaeters Camp Gladden, 

Wakulla County, May 21, 1862. 
Brig.-gen. Joseph Finegan, 

Gorn'dg JDepH of Middk and East Florida^ Tallahassee^ Fla. : 
General : — I have the honor to report that on yesterday morn- 
ing, at 3^ o'clock, I left this camp with a detachment of thirty-three 
men for Crooked river, at which point we arrived at 1 o'clock p. m. 
In a short time after om- arrival, I discovered a boat leaving the 
blockading vessel, and approaching the mouth of said river. I im- 
mediately placed my men in ambush on Carr's hill, and when the 
boat came opposite, we opened fire on the enemy, and killed or 
wounded all the party of twenty-one, except four. It gives me 
pleasure to state that my men acted gallantly throughout the whole 
affair. There was no one hurt on our side, although our fire was 
returned from the boat. Had my men been properly armed, not 
one of the enemy could have escaped. 

I have the honor to be, general. 

Your obedient servant, 

H. T. BLOCKER, 
Captain commanding Beauregaird Bangers. 



436 OFFICIAX KEPOKTS OF BAITLES. 



REPORT 

Of the Evacuation of Corinth, and Retreat to Tupelo 

Mississippi. 

O. T, BEAUREGAKD, GENERAL COMMANDING. 



Head-quaktees Western Department, 

Tupelo, Miss., June 13, 1862. 

General : — In relation to the recent militaiy operations in this 
quarter, I have to submit the following for the information of the 
War Department : 

The purposes and ends for which I had held and occupied Corinth 
having been mainly accomplished by the last of May, and by the 
25th of that month having ascertained definitely that the enemy 
had received large accessions to his already superior force, whilst 
ours had been reduced day by day by disease, resulting from bad 
water and inferior food, I felt it clearly my duty to evacuate that 
position without delay. I was further induced to this step by the 
fact that the enemy had declined my offer of battle, twice made 
him, outside of my intrenched lines, and sedulously avoided the 
separation of his corj)s, which he advanced vnth uncommon caution, 
under cover of heavy guns, strong intrenchments, constructed with 
unusual labor, and with singular delay, considering his strength, 
and our relative inferiority in numbers. 

The transparent object of the Federal commander had been to 
cut off my resources by destroying the Mobile and Ohio, and the 
Memphis and Charleston railroads. This was substantially foiled 
by the evacuation and withdrawal along the line of the former 
road ; and, if followed by the enemy, remote from his base, I confi- 
dently anticipated opportunity for resumption of the offensive, with 
chances for signal success. 

Under these plain conditions, on the 26th ult., I issued verbally 
several orders, copies of which are herewith, marked A, B, and C, 
partially modified subsequently, as will be seen by the papers, etc., 
herewith, marked D, E, F, and G. These orders were executed, I 



OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES, 4o« 

am happy to say, with singular precision, as will be found fully n<l- 
mitted in tlie correspondence, from the scene, of the Chicago "Tri- 
bune," herewith ti-ansmitted. 

At the time finally prescribed, the movement commenced, and 
was accomplished without the knowledge of the enemy, who only 
began to suspect the evaouation after broad daylight on the morn- 
ing of the 30th May, when, having opened on our lines from his 
formidable batteries of heavy and long range guns, erected the 
night previously, ho received no answer from any direction. But 
as our cavalry pickets still maintained their positions of the previous 
day, he was not, apparently, fully satisfied of our movements, until 
some stores, of little value in the town, were burned, which could 
not be removed. 

It was then, to his surprise, the enemy became satisfied that a 
large army, approached and invested with such extraordinary pre- 
parations, expense, labor, and timidity, had disappeared from his 
front, with all its munitions and heavy guns, leaving him without 
knowledge, as I am assured, whither it had gone ; for his scouts 
were scattered in all directions, as I have since ascertained, to in- 
quire what directions our forces had taken. Even now, indeed, I 
have reason to believe, the Federal commander has little knowledge 
of the position and disposition of my main forces. 

But for the unfortunate and needless delay, on the Memphis and 
Charleston Railroad, of some five trains of box cars, (three miscel- 
laneously freighted, and two empty,) in passing beyond the bridges 
over the Hatchie river and its branches, which in the plan of evacu- 
ation had been directed to be destroyed, at a certain hour, on the 
morning of the 30th ultimo, not an incident would have marred, in 
the least, the success of the evacuation, in the face of a force so 
largely superior. It was, however, through a too rigid execution 
of orders that these bridges were burned, and we were obliged to 
destroy the trains, as far as practicable, and burn the stores, includ- 
ing some valuable subsistence, to what extent will be more precisely 
reported as soon as practicable. 

The troops moved off in good spirits and order, prepared to give 
battle, if pursued, but no serious pursuit was attempted. Remain- 
ing in rear of the Tuscumbia and its affluents, some six miles from 
Corinth, long enough to collect stragglers incident to new levies, 
my main forces resumed the march, and were concentrated on Bald- 
win, with rear guards left to hold the bridges across the Tuscumbia 
and tributaries, which were not drawn back until the evening of 
fche 2d instant. 



438 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Whilst at Rienzi, half way to Baldwin, I was infonned that on 
the morning of the 30th ult., a detachment of the enemy's cavalry 
had penetrated to Boonville, eight miles south of Rienzi, and had 
captuied and burned a railroad train of ammunition, baggage, and 
subsistence, delayed there forty-eight hours by some misinanage- 
iiient. I regret to add that the enemy also burned the railroad 
depot, in which were, at the moment, a number of dead bodies, and 
at least four sick soldiers of this army, who were consumed ; an act 
of barbarism scarcely credible, and without a precedent, to my 
knowledge, in civilized warfare. 

Upon the opportune appearance in a short time, however, of an 
inferior force of cavalry, the enemy left in great haste and confusion, 
after having received one volley. Only one of our men was carried 
away by him. Quite a considerable number of stragglers, and of 
our sick and convalescent, en route to southei'n hospitals, who for a 
few moments had fallen into the enemy's hands, were rescued. 
These are the 2,000 men untruthfully reported by Gens. Pope and 
Halleck to theu- War Department, as " captured and parollecT" on 
that occasion. 

I desire to record that one Col. Elliott, of the Federal army, com- 
manded in this raid, and is responsible for the cruel death of our 
sick. 

As for the 10,000 stand of small arms, also reported by these of- 
ficers as destroyed,, the truth is, that not to exceed 1,500, mostly in- 
ferior muskets, were lost on that occasion. 

I had intimations of this expedition the day before the evacuation, 
and had detached immediately suitable commands of infantry and 
cavalry to foil its purposes, and to protect the bridges on the line of 
my march. Unfortunately the infantry passed thi'ongh and south 
of Booneville, but a little while before the enemy made his descent ; 
the cavalry, as before said, reached there in time only to rescue our 
men who had been captured. 

Equally inaccurate, reckless, and unworthy are the statements of 
these Federal commanders in their several official reports by tele- 
graph, bearing dates of the 30th and 31st of May, and of 1st, 2d 
and 4th of June, as published in Cincinnati and Chicago journals, 
touching the amount of property and stores destroyed by us at 
Corinth, and Gen. Pope's alleged pressing pursuit. 

Major-gen. Ilalleck's dispatch, of 4th June, may particularly be 
characterized as disgracefully untrue ; jDOssibly, however, he was 
duped by his subordinate. Nothing, for example, can be wider fron^ 
the truth than that 10,000 men and 15,000 small a.rnis of this army 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 430 

were captured or lost. In addition to those destroyed at Booneville, 
some 500 inferior small arras were accidentally left by convalescents 
in a camp, four miles south of Corinth. 

No artillery of any description was lost ; no clothing, No tents 
worth removal were left standing. In fine the letters of newspaper ^ 
correspondents, inclosed, give a correct statement, both as to the 
conduct of the retreat, the scanty spoils of war left behind, the actual 
barrenness of substantial results to the enemy, and exhibit his. 
doubt, perplexity, and ignorance, concerning the movements of this 
army. 

Baldwin was found to oifer no advantages of a defensive charac- 
ter, and being badly provided with water, I determined to fall 
back upon this point, some 20 miles south, 52 miles froai Corinth, 
and here to await the developments of the enemy's plans and move- 
ments. 

Accordingly, leaving Baldwin on the Yth (see papers appended, 
marked H), the main body of my forces was assembled here on the 
9th*inst., leaving all the approaches from Corinth carefully guarded 
by a competent force of cavalry under an efficient officer, who occu- 
pied a line 15 miles north of this place. 

Supported by my general officers, I am doing all practicable to 
organize for defensive operations, whensover any movement of the 
enemy may give the opportunity, which I anticipate as not remote. 

I feel authorized to say, by the evacuation, the plan of campaign 
of the enemy was utterly foiled, his delay of seven weeks, and vast 
expenditures, were of little value, and he has reached Corinth to' 
find it a barren locality, which he must abandon as wholly worthless 
for his purposes. 

I have the honor to be, respectfully. 
Your obedient servant, 
(Signed) G. T. BEAUREGARD, 

General commanding. 
To General Sam. Cooper, 

Adjutant-gen.^ and Inspector-gen.., C. S. A., Richmond., Va. 

P. S. — My effective force on the morning of the evacuation, 30th 
May, 1862, did not exceed 47,000 men of all arms ; that of the ene- 
my, obtained from the best source of information, could not have 
been less than 90,000 men of all arms. 

(Signed) G. T. BEAUREGARD, 

General commanding. 



440 OFFICIAL BEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

(A.) 

Strictly Confidential.) 

Head-qtjaeters Cavalry, W. D., 

Corinth, Miss., May 26th, 1862. 
Special Orders, No. 30. 

I. Capt, Mauldiu, commanding company cavalry at Bear creek 
bridge, will hold his command in readiness to move at a moment's 
notice towards Baldwin or Guntown, on the M. and 0. R. R. He 
will, when orders to remove are received, thoroughly destroy all 
bridges, both of railroads and ordinary roads, on Bear creek and its 
tributaries, and all bridges on his line of march. Should the enemy 
force him to fall back, before orders to do so have been received, he 
will burn all bridges as above instructed. 

II. The commanding officer of the cavalry on and near the Ten- 
nessee river, will, if compelled by the enemy to fall back, move in 
the direction of Tuscaloosa, Ala,, or Columbus, Miss. 

III. The commanding ofiicer of cavalry, at or near Rienzi, will 
follow the movements of the army when they pass Rienzi, with his 
entire force. 

IV. The commanding officer of the cavalry forces at or near 
Jacinto, will report at once, in person, to Gen. Van Dorn, for 
orders, and will, until further orders, receive all of his orders from 
Gen. Van Dorn. 

V. The commanding officer of the troops at Chewalla and Cy- 
press, will hold their commands in readiness to move on short no- 
tice, by the most direct route, to Kossuth. When commencing this 
movement, they will thoroughly destroy the Cypress bridge, and all 
the railroad and mud road bridges in their rear, and all bridges that 
might be of service to the enemy ; they will take their artillery 
with them, and on reaching Kossuth, wUl follow up the general 
movement of the army and protect its rear. 

VI. The commanding officer of the cavalry at Pocahontas, will 
hold his command in readiness to move on short notice to Ripley. 
On commencing the move, he will destroy all the railroad and mud 
road bridges in his rear, and all other bridges that may be of ser- 
vice to the enemy will be destroyed. He will take all of his artil- 
lery with him, and move from Ripley to Pantotoc, and will protect 
the rear of the forces moving in that direction 



' OFFICIAL REPOKTS OF BATTLES. 44:1 

When at Ripley, he will communicate with general head-quarters 
at Baldwin, for orders. • 

By order of Brig.-gen. W. N. R. Beall, 

(Signed) BEALL HAMPSTEAD, 

Captain and As&istant Adjutant-general. 



(B.) 

memorandum of orders. 

Head-quarters "Western Department 
Corinth, Miss., May 27th, 1862. 

The following memorandum is furnished to Gen. Hfcigg, for the 
intended movement of his army from this place to Baldwin, at the 
time hereinafter indicated : 

1st. Hardee's corps will move on the direct road from his position 
to Danville, by Cleburni camp, which lies on the east of the Mobile 
and Ohio railroad, jaart of the way, thence to Rienzi and to 
Baldwin. 

2d. Bragg's corps, via the turnjiike to Kossuth, until it reaches 
the south side of the Tuscumbia, thence by the Rienzi and Black 
Land road to Carrollsville and Baldwin. 

3d. Breckinridge's coi'ps (or reserve), via the turnpike to Kos- 
suth, thence to Black Land, Carrollsville, and Baldwin. 

4th. Polk's corps, via the turnpike to Kossuth, thence by the 
Western road to Black Land, Carrollsville, and Baldwin. 

5th. The baggage train of these coi'ids must leave their position 
at 12 M., precisely, on the 28th inst,, and stop for the night on the 
south side of the Tuscumbia, on the best available ground. The 
provision trains Avill follow the baggage trains. 

6th. The ammunition and ambulance trains must be jjarked at 
the most convenient point to their brigades, and moved in rear of 
the provision trains to the south side of the Tuscumbia, where they 
will await further orders. All of these trains are to be accompanied 
by one pioneer company and two infantry companies, properly dis- 
tributed per brigade. The brigade and regimental quarter-master 
must accompany and be responsible for their trains. 

Vth. The officers in charge of the baggage trains, will receive 
sealed orders as to their point of destination, which they will open 
at the first mentioned stopping place. 



44:2 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

8th. As it may become necessary to take the offensive, the troops 
will take their })osition in the trenches^s soon as practicable, after 
disposing of their baggage in the wagon trains. One brigade per 
corps will be put in line of battle, in the best position for the offen- 
sive, in front of the trenches. The reserve will remain in position 
as already indicated to its general commanding. These troops will 
all bivouac in position, and at 3 o'clock a. jl, on the 29tl^ inst., if 
not attacked by the enemy, will take up their line of march to 
Baldwin by the routes indicated in Article I, leaving jiroperly dis- 
tributed cavalry pickets in front of their lines, to guard and protect 
this retrograde movement. These j^ickets will remain in position 
iintiJ recalled by the chief of cavalry, who will remain in Corinth, 
for the purpose of directing the retrograde movement of cavalry, 
when each |pgiment must follow the route taken by the corps to 
which it shall have been temporarily assigned, for the protection of 
its rear and flanks. 

9th. Under no circumstance will these cavalry regiments abandon 
their position in front of the line (unless compelled by overj)owering 
numbers), until the rear of the columns of the army of the Missis- 
sippi shall have crossed the Tuscumbia; when the general command- 
ing each corps will communicate that fact to the chief of cavalry for 
his information and guidance. 

10th. The cavalry pickets will continue the usual skirmishing with 
the enemy in front of the lines, and when retiring they will destroy 
the roads and bridges in their rear, as far as practicable ; and after 
having crossed the Tuscumbia, they will guard the crossings until 
recalled by the general commanding. 

11th. The chief of cavalry will order, if practicable, one regiment 
to report to Major-gen. Polk, one to Major-gen. Hardee, one to 
Gen. Bragg, and one to Major-gen. Van Dorn, independently of 
the regiment now at Jacinto, already ordered to report to the latter 
officer. 

12 th. After the departure of the troops from the intrenched line, 
a sufficient number of drums from each brigade must be li^ft to beat 
at " reveille" at the usual hour, after which they can rejoin their 
commands. 

13th. The commanding officer of corps of the army of the Missis- 
sippi, will leave, on the south side of the Tuscumbia^ five hundred 
infantry and two pieces of artilleiy, to guard the four crossings of 
that stream, and to effectually destroy the bridges and obstruct the 
roads after the passage of the cavalry. 

14th. On arriving at Baldwin, the best defensive position will be 



OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 413 

taken by the army of the Mississippi, due regard being had to a 
l)roper and sufficient sujjply of wood and water for the troops and 
horses of the different commands. 

G. T. BEAUREGARD, 

General commanding. 



(C.) 

MEMOEANDUM OF MOVEMENTS ON BALDWIN FOE GENEEAL VAN 

DOKN. 

Head-quarteks Western Department, 

Corinth^ Miss., May 27, 1862. 

1. The baggage trains of his army must leave their position at 
daybreak on the 28th instant, by the road on the east of the Mobile 
and Ohio railroad, to stop temporarily at about six miles from his 
head-quarters, but with secret orders to the officers in charge of 
them to continue rapidly on the direct road to the vicinity of Bald- 
win. The provision trains will follow the baggage trains. 

2. The ammunition and ambulance trains must be parked at the 
most convenient point to their brigades, or near the general head- 
quarters, where they will remain until the troops shall have been 
moved to the front to take up their line of battle, when these trains 
will be ordered to follow the provision trains. 

All of these trains must be accompanied by one pioneer comi:)any 
and two infantry companies (properly distributed) per brigade. The 
brigade and regimental quarter-masters must accompany and be 
responsible for their trains. 

The officers in charge of the baggage trains will receive sealed 
ordei's as to their point of destination, which they will open at the 
already mentioned stopping-place, 

3. As it may become necessary to take the offensive, the troops 
will take their position in line of battle as soon as practicable after 
disposing of their baggage in the wagon trains. 

These troops will bivouac in position, and at 3 o'clock a. m. on the 
29th instant, if not attacked by the enemy, will take up their line of 
march to Baldwin by the route indicated (Article I.), leaving pro- 
perly distributed cavalry pickets in front of their lines to guard and 
jirotect this retrograde movement. 

These pickets shall remain in position until recalled by the chief 
of cavalry, who will remain in Corinth for the purpose of directing 



444 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

the retrograde movement of the cavalry, when each regiment will 
follow the route taken bj' the corps to which it shall have been tem- 
porarily assigned, for the pi'otection of its rear and flanks. 

4. Under no circumstances will the cavalry regiments abandon 
their position in front of the lines (unless compelled by overpower- 
ing numbers), until the rear of the column of the Army of the West 
shall have crossed Clear creek, when the generals commanding shall 
communicate the fact to the chief of cavalry for his information and 
guidance. 

5. The cavalry pickets will continue the usual skirmishing with the 
enemy in front of the lines, and when retiring will destroy, as far as 
practicable, the roads and bridges in their rear, and after having 
crossed Clear creek, they will guard the crossing until recalled by' 
the general commanding. 

6. The chief of cavalry will order, if practicable, one regiment to 
report to Major-gen. Polk and one to Major-gen. Hardee, one to 
Gen. Bragg and one to Major-gen. Van Dorn, independently of the 
regiment now at Jacinto, already ordered to report to the latter 
officer. 

7. After the departure of the troops from the intrenched lines, 
a sufficient number of drums from each brigade must be left to beat 
" reveille" at the usual hour, after which they can join their com- 
mands. 

8. The commanding officer of the Army of the West will leave, 
if necessary, on the south side of Clear creek, about five hundred 
infantry and two pieces of artillery, to defend the crossing of said 
stream, and to effectually destroy the bridges and obstruct the road 
after the passage of the cavalry. 

9. On arriving *in the vicinity of Guntown, the best defensive 
position will be taken in rear of Twenty-mile creek, due regard 
being had to a proper and sufficient supply of wood and water for 
the troops. 

, (Signed) G. T. BEAUREGARD, 

General cominanding. 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 445 

( Confidential. ) 

CoKiNTH, May 2Sth 1862. 
To Gen. B. Bragg, 

Gommanding Army of the Mississippi^ Corinth : 
General : — Considering that we have yet still so much to be re- 
moved from this place, I have decided that the retrograde movement 
shall not take place until the 30th instant, at the hours appointed, 
instead of the 29th. 

You will please issue all necessary orders to that efiect to tlie 
forces under your command. 

It would be advisable to stop at once the ammunition and pro- 
vision trains at convenient points to this place. 

Respectfully, your obedient servant, 
(Signed) G. T. BEAUREGARD, 

Gen. commanding, 
(Signed) George Wm. Brent, 

Acting Ghief of Staff. 



(E.) 

Corinth, May 28th, 1862. 
To Major-gen. E. Van Dorn, 

Danville road: 

General: — I approve of your request to leave at 12 h (not 11) 
to-night, if it be clear. Send artillery at sundown two miles back, 
so as to be beyond reach of sound to the enemy. Be careful, how- 
ever, not to send it too far. 

As Bragg's rear guard will not leave until 3 h a. m., yours ought 
not to leave before 2 1-2 h, for Hardee's left would then be un- 
covered whilst moving in rear of your present position and before 
crossing the railroad. 

Hardee will destroy the bridges (dirt and railroad) on Tuscumbia, 
provided he is guarding them. But have the matter clearly under- 
stood with him, so as to admit of no error. I referred in my note 
to the small bridge on Clear creek, one which you must pass. 

You, must, of course, have out as few details as possible. You 
must be the sole judge of that. 

The telegraph operator must remain at his post as long as possi- 
ble, say until your main forces move to the rear, for at any moment 
we may be called upon to move forward. 



446 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

I am glad to hear of the sham balloon. I hope it is so, for I fear 
that more than their artiller)»at this moment. 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed) G. T. BEAUREGARD, 

Gen. commanding. 

P. S. — You must not forget to obstruct thoroughly the road 
across Clear creek, near Gen. Jones' lines. You or Hardee must 
keep a strong guard of infantry and two pieces of artillery at the 
Clear creek raih-oad bridge, until the last cars shall have left the 
depot here. Please arrange this matter distinctly with him. 

Would it not be prudent to send one regiment, two pieces of ar- 
tillery, and some cavalry to protect your train ? 

I think I would keep Price back in best position, to move either 
to the rear to protect the train, if necessary, or to the front, in case 
of battle. 

Geoege W. Beent, Actiiig Chief of Staff. 



(F.) 

CoEiNTH, May 25, 1862. 
Gen. B. Beagg, Corinth : 

Gexeeal : — From information received, Guntown, four miles and 
a half below Baldwin, is considered a better position for the defen- 
sive ; hence we will go there. Please give the necessary orders. 

Small details must be kept in or about old camps, to keep up 
usual fires, on account of balloon, with orders to join their com- 
mands at 10 hour, on the march to the rear, or m front, in case of 
battle. 

I^ot too many fires must be kept on the lines to-night, so as not 
to reveal too clearly our position. A brigade (the best one) from 
each corps will be selected to guard and bring up the rear of each 
column, to move off about two hours after the rest of the column, 
and from Avhich, a small detail will be left at each bridge to destroy 
it after passage of cavalry. Detail to be in proportion to imjjor- 
tance of bridge. 

Would it not be advisable. for the main forces to start at the 1 h, 
and the rear guards at 3 h a. m. ? 
No rockets must be fired to night. 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed) G. T. BEAUREGARD, 

George Wm. Brent, 
Acting Chief of Staff. 



OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 4i7 

(G.) 

Head-quaeters "Westerx Departjiext, 
Corinth, May 1862. 
To Gen. B. Bragg and Major-gens, E. Van Dorn, L. Polk, W. J. 
Hardee, J. C. Breckinridge : 

Generals : — The following modifications have been made in the 
order relative to the retrograde movement from this place : 

1st. At sundown, the light batteries must be sent to about one 
mile from the intrenched lines, in order to avoid communicating 
to the enemy any information of the movement. These batteries 
must be so placed outside of the road as to follow their brigades at 
night without any difficulty. 

2d. At 8 o'clock p, M., the heavy batteries of the lines must be 
removed, without noise, to the cars and sent to the Central depot. 

3d. At 10 o'clock p. M., the retrograde movement of the forces 
is to commence, as already instructed. 

4th. At 12 o'clock p. M,, or as soon thereafter as possible, the 
rear guard is to follow the movement. 

5th. As soon as the army 6i the Mississippi shall have got beyond 
the Tuscumbia^ and the army of the West beyond Ridge creek^ 
Gen. Beall, at Corinth (Chief of Cavalry), shall be informed of the 
facts, and the position in the rear of said stream shall be held 
until the train shall be considered beyond the reach of the enemy. 

6th. Camp-fires must be kept up all night by the troops in posi- 
tion, and then by the cavalry. 

Tth. Three signal rockets shall be sent up at three o'clock in the 
morning by the cavalry pickets of Gens. Van Dorn, Bragg, and 
Polk. 

8th. All Artesian and other wells must be destroyed this even- 
ing, by a detachment from each brigade. All Artesian well 
machinery must be sent, forthwith, to the depot for transportation 
to Saltillo. 

9th. Whenever the railroad engine shall whistle through the 
night, near the intrenched line, the troops in the vicinity shall cheer 
repeatedly, as though reinforcements had been received. 

(Signed) G. T. BEAUREGARD, 

General commanding, 
Geo. Wm. Brent, 

Acting Chief of Staff. 



448 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

(H.) 

Memorandum of Orders. 



Head-quaeters Western Department, 
Baldwin, June 6, 1862, 5 h, p.m. 

I. Gen. Van Dorn's army will start at 3 h, a. m., on the Vth 
instant, on its way to Tupelo, via the road from Baldwin to Price- 
ville. It will halt for the night at Sand creek, a distance of about 
(17) seventeen miles from Baldwin. It will resume the line oi 
march the next morning at 3 h, a. m,, and will take position, for the 
present, at Priceville, leaving a brigade at the cross of the road, 
with the Ripley and the Cotton Gin road, near Smith or Brooks' 
house, and a cavalry force at or about the steam saw-mill. One 
brigade will be sent to Morrisville or vicinity, and a force of cavalry 
to guard the (20) mile creek ferry, on the road from Fulton, with 
a strong picket at the latter place. The cavalry regiment at Mari- 
etta, will not leave that position until the 8th instant, at 4 a. m. 

II. General Hardee's corps will start for Tupelo, at 4 h, p. m., 
on the Vth instant, via the same road as Gen. Van Dorn's army, 
stopping for the night at a creek, about nine miles from its present 
position. He will send at 4 h, a. m., on that day, one regiment and 
two pieces of artillery, to the cross-road with the Natchez railroad, 
to guard the Twenty-mile creek crossing. 

His corps will resume its line of March at 4 h, a. m., on the 8th 
instant, and will get to Tupelo that night if practicable. His rear 
guard of cavalry, will remain in its present position, until 12 p. M., 
on the 7th instant, and afterwards in the vicinity of Baldwin, (guard- 
ing the rear of Hardee's corps,) until about 4 h, a.m., on the 8th 
instant. 

III. General Breckinridge's corps of reserve, will leave for Tupelo, 
via CarroUsville and Birmingham, at 3 h, a. m., on the 7th instant, 
stopping for the night at Yanoby creek, a few miles beyond the 
latter town, and will resume its line of march at 3 h, a. m., on the 
8th instant. 

IV. Gen. Bragg's corps will leave by the same road as Gen. 
Breckinridge's (passing to the westward of CarroUsville), at 2 h, p. 
m., on the 7th instant, stopping for the night at or near Birming- 
ham ; leaving there at 3 h, a. m., for Tupelo. 

His cavalry will follow on the same road, the movement from where 
it is now posted, at 2 h., a. m., on the 8th instant. The regiment 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLFS. 449 

at Ripley will move on the road from that place to Tupelo, and all 
said cavalry will be posted as already indicated to Gen. B. on the 
map. 

V. Gen. Polk's corps will conform its movements to that of Gen. 
Bragg, starting at 2 h', p. m., on the 8th instant, on tlie direct road 
to Saltillo, west of the railroad, halting at that place until further 
orders. His cavalry will remain where at present posted, and will 
follow his movements along the same road (guarding his rear), at 
3 h, A. M., on the 8 instant. 

VI. All infantry outposts should be recalled in time to join their 
command. 

VII. All finger boards and mile posts should be taken down by 
the cavalry of the rear guards. 

(Signed) G. T. BEAUREGARD, 

General commanding.' 

(Official) Thos. Jordan, 

A. A.-getieral. 



Northern Newspaper Correspondence., and Official Telegraphic 
Dispatches of Gens. HallecJc and Pope, touching Evacuation 
of Corinth. 

LETTER FROM CORINTH. 

[Correspondence of Cincinnati Commercial.] 

General McCooh''s Division., prelhninary to the Evacuation of 

Corinth. 

Editors Commercial : I have only time for a very brief epistle 
before the mail goes, and, luckily, I have not much to say. On 
Wednesday night breastworks were thrown up, and Terrells' bat- 
tery planted on an eminence in the woods, about 700 yards from 
the rebel works. The position being secured, it Avas enlarged upon 
and strengthened yesterday. W. S. Sherman's (late Thomas) divi- 
sion, moving up in a line on the right, and Nelson's on the left of 
McCook. On the day the second division moved out, advances, 
with heavy cannonading, were made by Thomas on the right, and 
Pope on the left, but not a response in kind was elicited from the 
enemy. During the night, we could hear teams being driven off, 
and boxes being nailed, in the rebel camp. Deserters, however (I 
understand), repoi'ted that they were making " a stand," ^.nd would 
fight the next day. 

29 



450 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Considerable cannonading was done by our forces, and yet no 
response, and yesterday the same. Last night the same band 
sounded retreat, tattoo, and taps all along the rebel Hues, moving 
from place to place, and this moi*ning suspicion was ripened into 
certainty, when we saw dense columns of smoke arise in the direc- 
tion of Corinth, and heard the report of an exploding maga- 
zine. Corinth was evacuated ; Beauregard had achieved another 
" triumph ! " 

I do not know how the matter strikes abler military men, but I 
think we have been " fooled." The works are far from being invul- 
nerable ; and the old joke of quaker guns has been played oif on us. 
They were real wooden guns, with stuffed " paddies " for gunners. 
I saw them. We approached clear from Shiloh, in line of battle, 
and made preparations to defend ourselves, compared 'with which, 
the preparations of Beauregard sunk into insignificance. 

This morning we could have poured shot and shell from over 
three hundred guns into works that never saw the day, when Gen. 
McCook could not have taken his division into them. The indica- 
tions are that the rebel force here did not exceed 60,000 men. With 
tt'hat light I had, I regarded the mode of our advance upon Corinth 
as deep wisdom ; with the light I now have, I do not. 

The 1st Ohio was among the first to mount the works; but, I 
believe, the 24th Ohio was the very first ; and their new flag, lately 
received from the 6 th, was the first to wave in triumph over the 
now famous village of Corinth. When we got into Corinth, I sup- 
pose the fires kindled by the rebels had destroyed all they meant to 
destroy, (which was every thing movable that they could not re- 
move,) but much more damage would have been done but for our 
timely arrival. The place is entirely deserted, except by one or two 
families. 

(Signed) KAPPA. 

Washington, May 30th. 
The following dispatch was received, at the War Department this 
morning ; 

Head-quaeters near Corinth, May 30. 
Hon. E. M. Stanton, 

Secretary of War: 
The enemy's position and works, in front of Corinth, were ex- 
ceedingly strong. He cannot occujiy a stronger position in his 
flight. This morning he destroyed an immense amount of public 
and private property, stores, provisions, wagons, tents, &c. For 



H OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 451 

miles out of town, the roads are filled with arms, haversacks, &c., 
thrown away by his fleeing troops. 

A large number of prisoners and deserters have been captured, 
estimated by Gen, Pope at 2000. 

Gen. Beauregard .evidently distrusts his army, or he would have 
defended so strong a position. His troops are generally much dis- 
couraged and demoralized. 

For the last few days their resistance has been slight. 

(Signed) . H. W. HALLECK, 

Major-gen. commanding. 

Washington, June 2. 
The following dispatch has been received at the War Department, 
in reply to an inquiry of Gen. Meigs : 

Corinth, May 31, 1862. 
To M. C. C. Meigs, 

Q. M.-general : 
If Beauregard has been at Richmond, others -have forged his 
signature, as I have received letters from him about the exchange 
of prisoners nearly every day for the last fortnight. 

The evacuation of Corinth commenced on Wednesday, and was 

completed on Thursday night, but in great haste, as an immense 

amount of property was destroyed and abandoned. No troops 

have gone from here to Richmond, unless within the past two days. 

(Signed) H. W. HALLECK, 

3fajor-gen. commanding. 

TJie Retreat of the Enemy from Corinth — Great Destruction of 
Property — A bold Cavalry Reconnoissance. 

Washington, June 2. 
The following dispatch was received at the War Department this 

morning : 

Halleck's Head-quarters, 
Camp near Corinth, June 1, 1862. 
" Hon. E. M. Stanton, 

Secretary of War : 
" The following dispatch has been received from Gen. Pope : 
" To Maj.-gen. Halleck : 

" It gives me pleasure to report, to-day, the brilliant success of 
the expedition sent out on the 28th instant, under Col. Elliott, with 
the second Iowa cavalry. 



452 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. • 

"After forced marches, day and night, througli a very difficult 
country, and obstructed by the enemy, he finally succeeded in 
reaching the Mobile and Ohio railroad, at Boonville, at 2 o'clock 
A. M,, on the 30th. He destroyed the track in many places south and 
north of the town, blew up one culvert, destroyed the switch and 
track, burned up the depot and a locomotive, and a train of 26 cars, 
loaded with sixjjplies of every kind, destroyed 10,000 stand of small 
arms, three pieces of artilleiy, and a great quantity of clothing and 
ammunition, and parolled 2000 prisoners, which he could not keep 
with his cavalry. 

" The enemy had heard of his movements, and had a train of box 
and flat cars, with flying artillery, and five thousand infantry, run- 
ning up and down the road, to prevent him from reaching it. 

" The whole road was lined with pickets for several days. 

" Col. Elliott's command subsisted on meat alone, such as they 
could find in the country. For daring and dispatch this expedition 
has been distinguished in the highest degree, and entitles Col. 
Elliott and his command ,1^,0 high distinction. 

" The result will be embarrassing to the enemy, and contribute 
greatly to their loss and demoralization. He reports the roads full 
of small parties of the retreating enemy, scattering in all directions. 
(Signed) " Major-gen. POPE." 

Washington, June 4. 
Tlie following dispatch was received this morning at the War 
Department : 

Halleck's Head-quabters, June 4. 
Hon. E. M. Stanton, 

Secretary of War : 
Gen. Pope, with 40,000 men, is thirty miles south of Florence, 
pressing the enemy hard. He already reports 10,000 prisoners and 
deserters from the enemy, and 15,000 stand of arms captured. 
Thousands of the enemy are throwing away their arms. A farmer 
says that when Beauregard learned that Col. Elliot had cut the rail- 
road, on his line of retreat, he became frantic, and told his men to 
save themselves the best way they could. 

We captured nine locomotives, and a number of cars. One of 
the former is already repaired, and is running to-day. Several 
more will be in running order in a few days. The result is all that 
I could possibly desire. 

(Signed) H. W. HALLECK, 

Major-gen. commanding. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 453 

i [Special Correspondence of the Chicago Tribune.] 

Pittsburg Landing, May 30th, 1862. 
Just after I had written my letter, dated this morning, a dispatch 
was received from Gen. Halleck's head-quarters, stating that our 
flag waved over the Court-House at Corinth. The news caused 
much surprise here, as it was wholly unexpected, for the rebels had 
been disputing the ground with us, inch by inch, during the past 
few days, and with a^ stubbornness that indicated an intention to 
make a despei-ate resistance behind the main works of defence. 
Whether the reasons of the evacuation were merely strategical, or 
that the supply of provisions was running short, yet remains to be 
seen. I learn from a professed union man, a deserter from the reb- 
els, that they had been for some time on short rations, the men 
getting only a quarter ration and the horses three ears of corn per 
day. Their animals are said to be in very bad condition. The 
watei; in and around Corinth is also very bad. It smells so offen- 
sively that the men have to hold their noses while drinking it. As 
our men advanced, they found the water much deteriorated, and 
very difficult to obtain. 

When our forces entered the place about 7 a. m,, after shelling 
it for som<#time, they found but two or three men and a few wo- 
men and children in it. These were gathered around the little 
heaps of furniture they had snatched from the burning buildings. 
Whether the buildings were set on fire by our shells or the retreat- 
ing rebels, is not known. During the night, our pickets, and indeed 
the entire advance of the army, heard repeated explosions, doubt- 
less caused by the blowing up of the magazines. Nothing of any 
use to us, whatever, was found, not even a Quaker gun. These 
were of no use, however, at Corinth, as they could not have been 
seen by us. 

• The retreat of the enemy was conducted in the best order. Be- 
fore our men had entered the place, all had got off safely. Gen. 
Halleck has thus achieved one of the most barren triumphs of the 
war. In fact it is tantamount to a defeat. It gives the enemy an 
opportunity to select a new position as formidable as that at Corinth, 
and in which it will be far more difficult for us to attack him, on 
account of the distance our army will have to transport its supplies. 
Supposing the enemy take up their second position of defence at 
Grand Junction, about sixty miles from here, 4,000 additional wag- 
ons will be required. At $113 each, this would involve an expense 



454 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

of nearly half a million of dollars, to say nothing of mules, pay of 
. teamsters, forage, &o. Then there is the fatigue to our men, the 
attacks of guerilla parties in our reai*, &c. 

I look upon the evacuation there as a victory to Beauregard, or, 
at least, as one of the most masterly pieces of strategy that has 
been displayed during this war. It prolongs the contest in the 
southwest for at least six months. 

It is rumored that the main body of the rebels is stationed at 
Kossuth, a few miles from Corinth, while some 25,000 have gone 
on to Grand Junction, which the enemy hat^e been fortifying for 
some time past. 

Up to last night the enemy kept up a display of force albng his 
whole line, thus completely deceiving our generals. 

I learn that the lines of fortification at Corinth are numerous 
and formidable, but I have no authentic statement of their real 
strength and condition. 

Gen, Halleck must feel deeply mortified at the evacuation. It 
clearly shows that he knew nothing of the position and strength ol 
the enemy, and of his ulterior designs. This, in a great measure, 
arises from the exclusion of contrabands from camp. If this war 
is ever to be brought to a close, it must be by making use of the 
negro in every possible way. ^ 

(Signed) F. 



Letter of Gen. Beauregard. 

Head-quarters Western Departjient, 

Tupelo, Miss., June 15, 1862. 
Gen. Samuel Cooper, 

A. G.^ C. S. A., Richmond^ Va. : 

General : — After delaying, as long as possible, to obey the oft 
repeated recommendations of my physicians, to take some rest, for 
the restoration of my health, I have concluded to take advantage of 
the present lull in the operations of this army, due to the necessity 
of attending to its organization and discipline, and to the uncertain 
movements of the enemy, for absenting myself a short while from 
here, hoping to be back in time to assume the offensive at the 
earliest moment practicable. Meanwhile, I will transfer the com- 
mand of the forces, &c., of this department, to the next officer in 
rank, Gen. Bragg, furnisliing him with such instructions as will 
enable him to give all orders required during my absence. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 455 

I propose leaving here to-morrow at 12 m., for Mobile, where I 
will remain a day or two, inspecting the condition of its defences, 
and will offer to Brig.-gen. Forney such advice as in my judgment 
may be necessary, and he may be willing to accept. I will then re- 
pair to Bladen Springs on the Tombigbee river, about seventy-five 
miles noith of Mobile, where I will remain about one week or ten 
days, or long enough to restore my shattered health. 
Very respectfully, 

four obedient servant, 
(Signed) G. T. BEAUREGARD, 

General cominanding. 



Head-^uartees Western Department, 
Tupelo, June 14th, 1862. 
"We hereby certify, that after attendance upon Gen. Beauregard 
for the past four months, and treatment of his case, that in our pro- 
fessional opinion, he is incapacitated physically for the arduous du- 
ties of his present command, and we urgently recommend rest and 
recreation. 

(Signed) R. L. BRODIE, 

Surgeon^ P. A. C. S. 
(Signed) SAMUEL CHOPPIN, 

Surgeon^ P. A. G. S. 
True Copy, 

(Signed) A. R. CHISHOLM, 

Aid-de-camp. 



REPORT OF THE ENGAGEMENT ON JAMES 
ISLAND. 

Majoe-gen. Pemberton, commanding. 



Head-quarters Department So. Ca. and Geo., 

Charleston, June^ 1862. 
To Gen. S. Cooper, 

Adjutant and Inspector-general : 
General : — I trust it will not be considered irrelevant in officially 
reporting the action of the IGth June, 1862, between our forces 



456 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

and those of the United States, on James Island, to refer briefly to 
the connection which this aflair had with certain alterations I had 
adopted in the plan of defence established prior to my assignment 
to the command of this department. After a thorough personal 
examination of Coles Island, its defences and approaches, I was con- 
vinced that however desirable in many respects it might be to con- 
tinue its occupation, there were disadvantages not to be o\^rcome. 
With the means at my disposal, I deemed it therefore essential to 
the safety of Charleston, that the batteries on Coles battery island 
should be transferred to a more defensible position on the James 
Island side of the Stono river. 

This change would draw in our lines to the best supporting dis- 
tance, and compel a land attack upon our intrenched position across 
James Island, flanked on the right by the jjroposed fort on the 
Stono, and on the left by the advanced work at Secessiouville . 

This design was carried into execution. A strong and command- 
ing work was erected on the Stono, completely controlling that 
river in the direction of the inlet of the same name, as well as the 
approach through North Edisto inlet, on the mouth of Wappoo cut. 
The intrenched lines to the east of James Island creek were also 
greatly strengthened by a system of interior redoubts and redans. 

Early in May, the guns were removed from Coles battery island. 
On the 13th of the same mouth, the abduction of the steamer 
Planter by her negro crew gave the enemy information of the 
abandonment of Coles island. The services of skilful i)ilots among 
these negroes were immediately availed of, and the enemy's gun- 
boats entered the river about the lYth. Under cover of their fire, 
he commenced landing his troops on James Island on the 2d June. 
His force was gradually increased, until it was believed to have 
amounted to from ten to twelve thousand of all arms. Between the 
2d and 15th June, several skirmishes occurred, the results of which 
were duly reported by the immediate commander, and the reports 
forwai'ded to the War Department. The enemy kept up at inter- 
vals a heavy fire from his gunboats, varying from five to eight in 
number, against Secessiouville, from positions on the Stono, and a 
branch of Folly river, as also from a land battery established under 
cover of his boats on a point distant about a mile from our own 
battery at Secessiouville. No injury was, however, done to our 
works. One man was killed in his tent, and several wounded. A 
few shells were thrown in the direction of the new fort on the Stono 
at long range, but no attempt was made to engage at the fort a 
less distance than two and a half miles. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 457 

About 4 A. M. on the 16th, the enemy drove in or captured our 
pickets, some 800 yards in front of the battery at Secessionville, 
and advancing rapidly upon this work in line of battle, arrived 
within a few hundred yards of it before our guns could open upon 
him. To the culpable negligence of the pickets is to be attributed 
the near approach of the enemy before he was discovered. The 
men, however, were at their guns, which were at once well and rapid- 
ly served. Lieut.-col. Gaillard's and Smith's battalions, (Charles- 
ton and Pee Dee), were moved promptly into position under the 
orders of Col. J. C. Lamar, the heroic commander of the post. 
The enemy was driven back in confusion, and with great loss. A 
second attempt, after he had received reinforcements, met with a 
similar result, and a third was equally unsuccessful. 

A flank movement was then attempted against the right of the 
battery, but was repulsed by the Charleston battalion, aided by 
the Louisiana battalion, under Lieut.-col. McEnery, which had been 
promptly dispatched by Col. Johnson Hagood, the immediate com- 
mander, to the support of Secessionville, on the first intimation of 
the enemy's advance upon that position, and which arrived in time 
to participate in the dangers and glory of this admiiable repulse. 
On the evening of the 15th, I directed Brig.-gen. Evans to send suf- 
ficient reinforcements to Secessionville to relieve the garrison of the 
arduous duties in which it had been engaged for a number of days 
previous. A detachment of four ofiicers, (Capt. J. Jamison, com- 
manding), and one hundred men of Col. Goodlet's 2 2d S. C, volun- 
teers, came up just in time to meet the first onset of the enemy, 
performing most excellent service, and sustaining a loss of 1 killed 
and 7 wounded. For further details of the action immediately in 
front of Secessionville, I respectfully refer to the reports, (here- 
with), of Brig.-gen. Evans, Col. J. G. Lamar, and his subordinate 
commanders ; and for those details resulting from the enemy's flank 
movement upon Secessionville, Brig.-gen. Evans' report, to that of 
Col. Johnson Hagood, 1st S. C. volunteers, who had been assigned 
to the command of an advanced corps, composed of his own regi- 
ment ; the 24th S. C, Col. C. H. Stevens ; the Eutaw battalion, 
Lieut.-col. Simonton ; and the Louisiana battalion, Lieut.-col. Mc 
Enery. The latter, as before stated, was early dispatched to the 
support of Secessionville ; the remaining corps greatly aiding in the 
final and complete defeat of the enemy." The report of each of the 
above named subordinate commanders is respectfully forwarded 
herewith. 

Not having been an eye-witness of this well-fought contest, it is 



458 OFFICIAL REP0BT8 OF BATTLES. 

impossible for me, perhaps, to commend where commendation is 
most due. Many of the best and bravest have fallen : among them 
Capt. J. J- Reed, Lamar's regiment ; Capt. Henry King, Charleston 
battalion; 1st Lieut. John Edwards, of the same command; 2d 
Lieut, R. W. Green, Eutaw battalion, and 1st Sergeant James M. 
Baggott, who fell whilst serving his piece as No, 1, and was imme- 
diately succeeded by his company commander, the gallant and 
lamented. Reed. 

My estimation of the conduct of Col. J. G. Lamar, is fully ex- 
pressed in my General Orders, No. — , of June I'Zth, His un- 
daunted courage was an example well followed by those who sur- 
rounded him. 

Lieut.-cols, P. C. Gaillard, A. D. Smith, and James McEnery. 
Major D. Ramsey, Captain J. Jamison, were each in command of 
their respective corps, during the whole, or a part of the action, and 
are highly commended in the report of Col. Lamar. I refer to his, 
and to the reports of the officers above-named, for records of further 
instances of individual gallantry. 

In like manner, I refer to the reports of Brig.-gen. Evans, to Col. 
C. H. Stevens, Lieut.-col. Simonton, and to Col. Hagood's, and to 
his subordinate commanders, and Col. Goodlet, who, all deserving 
high praise themselves, have doubtless bestowed it where it is best 
deserved. 

I inclose, herewith, a list of the killed, wounded, and missing — 
amounting in the aggregate to 204. Many of those reported as 
wounded, have been slightly so. 

I also inclose a list of those most highly commended by com- 
manders. 

From the best information I have received, I estimate the loss of 
the enemy to have been between seven and eight hundred. 
Very respectfully, 

your obedient servant, 

J. C. PEMBERTON, 

Major-gen. commanding. 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 459 



Report of Brig. -gen. W. G. Evans. 

Head-quarters Second Military Division, S. C. 
Adams' Run, June 19, 1862. 
To Major J. R. Waddt, 

Assistant Adjutant-ge^ieral^ Charleston, S. C. : 

Major : — I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
action of the troops under my command on James Island on the 
16th instant. 

On the afternoon of the 15th instant, I was informed by Col. T. G. 
Lamar, 1st artillery, that from his observation of the movements of 
the enemy, he was convinced that Secessionville would, doubtless, 
be attacked either on that night or on the morning of the 16th. I 
directed him to hold his position, that he would be reinforced if 
necessary. At 2 o'clock on the morning of the 16th inst., I received 
a note from him, informing me that the enemy were advancing. I 
repaired to Clark's house as soon as possible, where I arrived at 
fifteen minutes past 4 o'clock, a. m., when I found Col, Johnson 
Hagood, 1st S. C. V., had, in his untiring vigilance, ordered three 
regiments to be in readiness for an immediate attack, and had 
already sent a detachment of Col. Goodlett's regiment to the sup- 
j)ort of Col. Lamar, watching closely the movements of the enemy 
in front of Secessionville. I determined to reinforce the place to 
two thousand strong, and immediately ordered the 4th Louisiana 
battalion and Col. Goodlett's regiment to repair at double-quick 
and report to Col. Lamar at Secessionville. Lieut.-col. McEnery, 
with his battalion, arrived just in time to receive the second assault 
of the enemy and to materially aid in repulsing him. At this time, 
I received a message from Col. Hagood, that the enemy were ap- 
proaching on our right, and asking reinforcements. I directed him 
to attack the enemy, and immediately ordered the 51st Georgia 
and Col. Williams' regiment to repair to his assistance. The en- 
gagement now became general on both wings. Col. C. H. Stevens, 
who was with Col. Hagood, seeing that the 24-pound battery, near 
Clarke's house, was not being fired, directed Lieut.-col. Capers, of 
his regiment, to take command of his battery and to fire on the 
enemy, with which, though one piece was dismounted, he did gal- 
lant and efiective service, firing constantly into the flank of the 
enemy. On the third assault of the enemy, Lieut.-col. Capers was 
very successful with bis piece, piercing the columns of the enemy 
eleven times. 



460 • OFFICIAL KEP0KT8 OF BATTLES. 

For the details of the gallant defence of the works at Secession- 
ville, I would respectfully refer the major-general commanding ta 
the official reports of the immediate commanders herewith submitted. 
Tliree times did that heroic band repulse (often at the point of the 
bayonet) a force thrice their strength, under the fii'e of three gun- 
boats and four stationary or land batteries. About 10 o'clock, the 
enemy retreated in great confusion, leaving their dead and wounded 
on the field, a number lying in our trenches. The loss of the enemy 
I have been unable to ascertain, but, from what I saw, was at least 
four hundred in killed, wounded, and prisoners. The dead of the ene- 
my immediately in front of the Secessionville works, numbered one 
hundred and sixty-eight, while forty-two wounded had been brought 
within the works. The dead I directed to be immediately buried, 
and the wounded to be removed to the hospital. A considerable 
number of arms and accoutrements were caj^tured, a partial return 
of which will be found in the paper marked " G." A full report of 
these arms I dii-ected Capt. Reary, ordnance officer, to make to the 
chief of ordnance in Charleston. At 12 o'clock m., I received a note 
from the major-general commanding, that he was at Brig.-gen. 
Gist's head-quai-ters, asking if I wished reinforcements, that they 
were ready. I replied, through my aid-de-camp, that I thought the 
enemy was leaving his position, as he was burning the houses he 
had first occupied. I then joined the major-general commanding 
and accompanied him to Secessionville, to inspect the works as well 
as to ascertain our loss, and the situation and condition of our troops. 
After giving instructions relative to the wounded and dead, also as 
to the arms captured I returned to my head-quarters, and, in ac- 
cordance with instructions from the major-general commanding, or- 
dered Col. P. P. Colquitt to repair with his regiment of Georgia 
volunteers as soon as possible, and relieve Col. Goodlett, in com- 
mand of Secessionville. Col. Goodlett and his command were com- 
pletely worn down and exhausted. I would here state that I had 
before directed Col. Lamar to send all of his exhausted men to the 
rear on the arrival of Col. Goodlett's command, which order left 
him but one hundred and fifty men for duty. 

The troops at Secessionville, on the morning of the 16th, were 
much fatigued, as they had been engaged at work in the intrench- 
ments during the entire night, and many were entirely worn out 
when the action commenced in the morning. 

In reference to the action on our right, I would respectfully refer 
for particulars to the reports of Cols. Hagood and C. H. Stevens, 
herewith inclosed. 



OFFICIAL EEP0KT8 OF BATTLES. 461 

To my personal staff, 1st Lieut. W. H. Rodgers, special aid-de- 
camp, Capts. R. E. Elliott and Samuel J. Corrie, and H. W. Carr, 
I am much indebted for their untiring exertions in transmitting my 
orders under fire. Assistant Surgeon James Evans, of my staff, 
rendered material aid to the wounded, who were brought to the 
rear. In conclusion, I would add that, at 8 o'clock a. m., Brig.-gen. "W. 
D. Smith joined me at Clarke's house, where I directed him to take 
command of. the right wing, and attack the enemy vigorously. I 
have received no report from him, but take it for granted the re- 
ports of Cols. Hagood and Stevens cover the action of the troops on 
the right. 

To the dauntless Lamar and the troops under his command, at 
the commencement of the assault, the Charleston battery, Lieut.-col. 
Gaillard, Lieut.-col. Smith's battalion, and companies of Lamar's 
regiment engaged, the countiy, and South Carolina in particular, 
owe a debt of gratitude and thanks, which I know a grateful people 
will acknowledge. For the gallant dead, the country will ever 
mourn. 

The intrepid Reed fell whilst cheering his men to victory, just as 
the enemy was repulsed. 

The reports herewith inclosed will give casualties on our side, 
thirty-niner killed, ninety-three wounded and two missing. Total, 
one hundred and thirty-four. 

No report has been received from Lieut.-col. Smith's battalion. 
Col. T. Gr. Lamar's report will be forwarded as soon as received. 

Herewith I also inclose you a copy of a letter from Brig.-gen. 
Stevens, commanding the Federal forces, and also a copy of my 
reply. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

N. G. EVANS, 
Brig.-gen. commanding. 



Report of Colonel Lamar. 

To Major-General J. C. Pembeeton, 

Commanding Department of S. Carolina and Georgia : 

General : Through the interposition of Providence, it became 
my duty to report to you that the forces under my command gained 
a complete victory over the enemy on the 16th instant, at Secession- 
ville Neck. 



4:62 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

On the morning of the 16th of June, about four o'clock, my pickets 
were driven in, and reported to me that the enemy were advancing 
in force, and had ah'eady passed Rives' house, distant from my bat- 
teries about three-fourths of a mile. I immediately dispatched a 
courier to Lieut.-cols. Gaillard and Smith, ordering them to move 
up their battalions at once ; and to Gen. Evans, to inform him of 
the advance of the foe, and I then proceeded to my batteries, where 
I found a detachment at each gun, having ordered such to be the 
case day and night. 

When I arrived at the batteries, I found that the enemy were 
within seven hundred yards, in line of battle, and advancing on me 
at the double-quick. I ordered the 8-inch columbiad to be loaded 
with grape, which order was promptly obeyed by Lieut. Mosely, of 
company I, whom I found at the battery on my arrival. I mounted 
the chassis, and pointed the gun myself In the mean time, Sergeant 
James M. Baggott, of Capt. Reed's company B, fired upon the ad- 
vancing line from the rifled 24-pound gun, to the left of the colum- 
biad, and of which he was the gunner. My reason for pointing the 
columbiad myself, was to fire at the centre of the line, and thereby 
break it, in order to cause confusion and delay, so that I might get 
my infantry into position previous to their reaching my lines. The 
shot had the desu'ed efiect ; they immediately flanked to the right 
and left. 

I then ordered the columbiad to be loaded with canister,, which 
was promptly done, and I again pointed it. I then left the battery 
to get my infantry into position. On leaving the battery I met 
Lieut. Humbert, of company I (under whose command the colum- 
biad was), within two or three paces of the battery, and directed 
him to give them canister freely, which he did. I then ordered 
Capt. T, Y. Simons to go to Lieut.-cols. Gaillard and Smith, and tell 
them to hurry up their battalions. 

Lieut.-col. Smith, of the Pee Dee battalion, first attracted my 
attention, whereupon I ordered him to take position on the left. 
Although the enemy had then reached the left flank, and were pour- 
ing in a murderous fire on my men at the guns, Lieut.-col. Smith 
obeyed with promptness, and soon drove them from their position. 
I then ordered Lieut.-col. Gaillard to take position on my right and 
centre, which was promptly done. It was not long after getting 
my infantry into position, that the enemy were driven back in con- 
fusion. They were soon, however, reinforced, and made another 
desperate charge, when I again drove them back ; a third time they 
came, but only to meet with a most determined repulse. 



OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 463 

Theythen made a flank movement on my right on the west of 
Secessionville, and on the other side of the creek, where they were 
gallantly met by the Charleston battalion, which was soon reinforced 
by the Louisiana battalion, commanded by Lieut.-col. McEnery, who 
also gallantly met them with a cheer. At this time I was so much 
exhausted from loss of blood, from having been wounded in the 
head by a minie ball on the second charge, that the command was 
turned over, to Lieut.-col. Gaillard, and afterwards to Lieut.-col. 
Wagner, although I never ceased to give orders to my batteries. 
We achieved a great victory, yet it was at a considerable loss, both 
in numbers and personal worth. Capt. Samuel J. Reed, of Barnwell 
district, and commanding company B, fell while gallantly fighting 
at his gun. I may safely say that his place cannot be filled. He 
was every thing that could be desired in an officer, and as brare, 
true, and gallant a man as ever sacrificed his life on a field of battle. 
Peace to his ashes ! 

Lieuts. Lancaster and Johnson, of company B, who were in com- 
mand of the two rifled 24-pounders, did great execution, although 
not having grape or canister. Lieut. 'Bellinger, of the same com- 
pany, who commanded the 18-pounder, poured a murderous fire 
into the approaching line, and, in connection with the columbiad, 
did more than any thing else for the fortunes of the day. These 
gallant oflicers deserve the thanks of the country, and I commend 
them to your notice. Capt. G. D. Keitt, and Lieuts. Humbert, 
Barton, Oliver, and Mosely, all acted with great bravery and deter- 
mination. 

I cannot close this report without bringing to further notice, 
Senior First Lieut. J. B. Humbert, of company I, who acted with 
so much gallantry and determination in managing his gim, to which 
may be mainly attributed the fortunes of the day, not only on 
account of its calibre and weight of metal, but to its well-directed 
fire, and to the skill with which it was managed ; and also Second 
Lieuts. T. P. Oliver and J. W. Mosely, of the same company, who 
rendered valuable assistance to Lieut. Humbert. First Lieut. Barton, 
of the same company, displayed great skill and coolness in the 
management of the mortar, which had considerable eflfect upon the 
enemy. Too much praise cannot be given to these gallant oflicers, 
and to the detachments under their command. Capt, F. T. Miles, 
of the Calhoun Guard, Charleston battalion, who was stationed at 
my batteries during the previous night, and whose command was 
the first placed in position, has my sincere thanks. He and his men 
fought like heroes, and did all that men could do. 



464 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

Lieut.-col, p. C. Gaillard, and Major David Ramsey, conducted 
themselves with the utmost coolness, and were as gallant as officers 
could be. They both, as well as their entii-e command, acted with 
commendable courage and determination, and deserve the thanks 
of the country. 

Lieut.-col. A. D. Smith, commanding the Pee Dee ,battalion, and 
a most gallant officer, was the first that attracted my attention when 
the infantry wpre coming ujd to the engagement, and to him I am 
indebted for having relieved my left flank at a very critical time. 
I noticed that several of his men were shot down before he could 
get into position, and that, after the enemy had been driven back 
the first time, and while they were on their second charge, Lieut.- 
col. Smith went out upon the field in front of the battery, gathered 
up as many of the small arms of the enemy as he could carry, and 
gave them to his own men, whose guns had refused to fire. I com- 
mend him to your favorable notice. His command acted with great 
courage. My thanks are also due to Major Hudson, who acted 
with decided gallantry. I must also speak in high terms of the ac- 
tions of Lieut. W. H. Kitchings, of company H, who was in com- 
mand of the Reed battery at Clark's house, which battery consisted 
of two smooth bore 24-pound guns, and also of my adjutant, Lieut. 
E. J. Frederick, who, seeing that the enemy's sharj^shooters were 
concealed on my right flank, over the marsh, and were picking off 
my men, proceeded immediately to the above battery, when he and 
Lieut, Kitchings soon dislodged them, and poured well-directed 
shots into them as they retreated. • 

To Capt. McCreery, of the ordnance department, as well as to 
Capt. Bonneau, and Lieuts. Matthews and Hall, of our gunboat, I 
return my sincere thanks, for their valuable service at the columbiad 
battery. 

The casualties in the two companies of my regiment that were 
engaged, are as follows : 

Company B, Barnwell district. Killed — Capt. S. J. Reed, 2d 
Sergeant James M. Baggott. Privates Elbert Bates, R. R. Bates, 
H. H. Dycles, W. J. Nix, W. Redmond, D. J. Reilly, and J. Wat- 
son. 

Mortally wounded and since dead — privates Chesley Bates and 
Jeff. C. Eaves. 

Wounded severely — Sergeant R. F. Nevills, and privates V. W. 
Bellinger, W. Fleming, Redick Pitts, W. J. Chitly, F. M. King, L. 
L. Cox, H. H. Nevills, S. H. Nevills, H. L. Baggott, Thomas Ursery, 
W. D. Elkins, J. W. Gillam, J. G. Mitchel, B. H. Dyches, J. W. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 465 

Phillips, D. p. Hutson, W. J. Martin, J. B. Corbit, J. R. Wains, 
and M, Whaley. " 

Wounded slightly — Corporal N, A. R. Walker, and privates A. 
O. Houser, J. J. Walker, D. Ilolden, W. R. Delk, and J. Temple- 
ton. 

Missing — W. P. Hair, (previously wounded.) 

Company I, Orangeburg District. Killed — privates W. H. Am- 
aker, J. A. R. Shuler, H. A. Hoover, Daniel Kelly, J. W. Gibson, 
and Jno. Jones. 

Wounded severely — Sergeant George Bolivar, private J. C. 
Evans. Slightly — Sergeants J. Marchant and S. C. L. Miller. Pri- 
vates J. C. Stevenson, N. A. Whetstone, G. J. Bonnett, G. J. Par- 
lor, John Robinson, and G. W. Golson. 

KECAPITULATION : 

Killed 15 

Since dead 2 

Wounded 37 

Missing 1 

Total 55 

I estimate the loss of the enemy, as near as I can, at from six to 
eight hundred; 341 of their dead are buried in front of my bat- 
teries ; 107 were taken prisoners, many wounded, and who have 
since died, and I conjecture that some were drowned. Large quan- 
tities of their wounded were carried off by their ambulances. 
About 400 stand of small arms fell into our hands, together with 
one horse wounded in the mouth, and numerous smaller articles. 

For the casualties in the Charleston battalion, Lieut.-col. Gaillard, 
and the Pee Dee battahon, Lieut.-col. Smith, together with their 
reports concerning the behavior of officers and men, I beg leave to 
refer you to the accompanying documents, marked respectively A 
and B. 

It is proper to state, that the forces under my command did not 
amount to more than 600 men, until the arrival of the Louisiana 
battalion. But this small force manfully stood their ground against 
an assaulting force of from one to five thousand men, among whom 
were the picked regiments of the enemy — the 79th New York 
Highlanders, and the 8th Michigan— notwithstanding that they had 
for fourteen days and nights been subjected to the most arduous- 

duties. 

30 



4:^Q OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

On Sunday night, the 15th iust., I received orders from Brig.-gen. 
Evans, to the effect, that although it might require superhuman ex- 
ertions, he expected me to take the guns off the gunboat, and place 
them in battery on land. This was impossible, unless I had had a 
force and the means under my control that were necessary to move 
these guns. I therefore had to have the gunboat moved up to Se- 
cessionville, Avhere there was a wharf. In the mean time, I, with 
the two companies of my own regiment, proceeded to throw up the 
earthworks of the batteries, which were not completed until 3 
o'clock the next morning. My men were so much fatigued, not 
only from the night work, but from a very spirited engagem^ent the 
day previous, which lasted several hours, against the gunboats and 
land batteries of the enemy, that I allowed them to lay down to 
rest. They had hardly fallen asleep when the alarm was given, and 
this was the first time that any man was allowed to sleep without 
his arms in his hand, and at the spot that he would have to use 
them, during the time that I had been in command of the post. 

In conclusion, I would state that the great victory achieved on 
the 16th June, over such a superior force of the enemy, is owing 
entirely to the patriotism, love of freedom, and indomitable courage 
of the officers and men under my command. Every man did his 
duty! 

I have the honor, general, to be. 

With Sentiments of high regard, 

Your obedient servant, 

F. G. LAMAR, 
• Col. commanding Post. 



Report of Major David Ramsey. 

SECESSiOiSrviLLE, June 21, 1862. 
Colonel T. G. Lamar : 

Colonel : I beg leave to forward to you a list of casualties in the 
Charleston battalion, in the engagement of the 16th instant: 

Field and Staff.— Wounded— Lieut.-col. P. C. Gaillard, slightly 
in knee ; Capt. R. Press. Smith, A. Q. M., severely. 

Company A, Charleston Riflemen. — Wounded — Capt. Julius A. 
Blake, slightly ; Lieut. F. Lynch, slightly. 

Company B, Charleston Light Infantry. — Killed — Private J. B. 
W. Hammett. Wounded, mortally — private P. Gilhooly. Wound- 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 467 

ed, slightly — Privates M. Lacy and W. H. Lutcliffe. Missing — J. 
K. Gibbes and J. P. Johnson. 

Company C, Irish Volunteers, — Killed — Private Dan. Howard. 
Wounded, severely — John May. "Wounded, slightly — Lieut. John 
Burke, private J. P. Murphy. 

Company D, Sumter Guard. — Killed — Capt. H. C. King, Lieut. 
J. J. Edwards, Corporal J. Volentine, pi'ivates G. PoEuanski and S. 
F. Edgerton. Wounded — Sergeant J. J. Wells ; privates R. C. 
Evans, A. Roumillat, E. L, Terry, W. W. Johnson, H. Neufoille, H. 
Volentine, E. S. Tennent, G. W. Dingle, T. P. Lockwood. 

Company E, Calhoun Guard. — Killed — Private Thomas Parker. 
Wounded— Capt. F. T. Miles, Lieut. J. W. Axon, Sergeant S. C. 
Black ; privates C. P. Brown, C. B. Buist, Isaac Holmes, H. C. 
Choate, J. E. Smith. 

Company F, Union Light Infantry. — Killed — Sergeant R. J. 
Henry ; private James Davis, AVounded — Lieut. George Brown ; 
private Wm. Cummins. 

RECAPITULATION : 

Killed 10. Wounded 30. Missing 2. Total 42. 

It is hardly possible to enumerate the individual instances of valor 
and good conduct. All did their duty, and the list of dead and 
wounded will testify with what devotion. Out of about one hund- 
red men, forty, besides the two of the field and staff, were killed or 
wounded. You are aware of the distinguished conduct and skill of 
Lieut.-col. Gaillard, in command after you were wounded, until the 
arrival of Lieut.-col. McEnery, and I only mention, as peculiarly 
noticeable, Lieut, Campbell, of company F, who repulsed, person- 
ally, a storming party, using a handspike, until he seized a rifle. 
Also, Mr. Josiah Tennent, of the Calhoun Guard, who felled no less 
than six of the enemy, Capt. William Ryan's good service at a 
gun you can api^reciate yourself Lieut. George Brown and Ser- 
geant Hendrick, of company F, deserve mention for bringing am- 
munition through a heavy fire ; and most particularly Lieut. Alex- 
ander A. Allemory, of the Irish volunteers, who passed and repassed 
a severe fire of musketry and cannon several times with ammunition 
in his arms. I have mentioned those especially noticeable, but can 
only repeat that I refrain from enumerating others, simply because 
it would be to furnish a roll of those engaged. 
Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

DAVID RAMSAY, 
Major commanding C. Battalion. 



468 OFFICIAL KEP0RT3 OF BATTLES. 



Report of Lieut.-col. A. D. Smith. 

Secessionville, James Island, 

June 19th, 1862. 
Col. Lamae: 

The following is a correct list of the casualties in my commancT, 
in the engagement of the 16th instant: . , 

Company A, Capt. Smart. — Killed, none ; wounded seriously, 
private H. Cooper and Alexander Bourn ; wounded slightly, ser- 
geant W. T. Smith; Lieut. T. Starvis, and privates Wm. Buss and 
F. M. Jordan, were captured on picket. 

Company B, Capt. Evans. — Killed, Private Duncan Deas ; 
wounded seriously, sergeant W. L. McFarland, (since dead,) pri 
vate Jesse Pierce ; slightly, privates R. D. Moore, John R. Threat 
and Isaac Hurst. 

Company C, Capt. Davis. — Killed, none; wounded seriously 
privates Wm. Cole and Thomas Di'iggers ; slightly, private Leon 
ard Oxendieu ; corporal John Roller, arm shot off. 

Company D, Capt. Best. — Killed — Privates J. T. Alford and J 
H. Lay; wounded seriously, first Lieut. J. G. Beauty; oliglith 
privates S. Jones and M. Stalvey. 

Company F, Capt. Carter. — Killed, none ; wounded seriousb , 
private C. C. Anderson ; slightly, corporal E. F. Sandsbury, an- 1 
privates W. D. Rollins and J. E. P. Hickson. 

Company G, Capt. Graham. — Killed, none ; wounded eeriously, 
privates L. Stricken and Wm. Eliot; slightly, orderly sergeant 
John H. Williamson, and private J. W. Tripps. 

EECAPITULATION. 

Killed, 3 ; since died, 1 ; wounded, 22 ; captured, 3. Total, 29. 
Your obedient servant, 

A. D. SMITH, 
Jdeut.-col. commanding Smithes battalion. 



OFFICIAL KEPOUTS OF BATTLES. 469 



Report of Col. Johnson Hagood, 1st regiment 
S. O. Volunteers. 

Head-quarters Advanced Forces, 

James Island, June 18, 1862. 
Capt Mallort p. King, 

A. A.-general : 

Captain : I ^m required to report the operations of the troops 
under my command on the 16th inst. 

Some days previously, I had had the honor to be placed in com- 
mand of a corps, composed of the 1st and 24th South Carolina 
volunteers, the Eutaw battalion, and McEnei'y's Louisiana battalion, 
to which were assigned the duties of the advanced guard. The 
force at Secessionville, however, continued to keep out in front of 
that position its own outposts, which were not under my command, 
and made no direct report to me. This has since been changed. 
On the night of the 15th and 16th, the troops on outpost duty, 
under my command, consisted of seven companies- of Stevens' 24th 
S. C. regiment, six companies of Hagood's 1st S. C, volunteers, and 
one company of the 47th Georgia volunteers (Col. Williams,), all 
under the immediate charge of Col. Stevens. They covered the 
whole front of our Hues, from Secessionville road to New Town cut. 
The pickets from Secessionville covered the space from the Seces- 
sionviUe road to the marsh on the left of our lines. 

At 4,30 A. M. on the 16th, I received a dispatch from Col. Stevens, 
that the Secessionville pickets had been driven in, and that the 
enemy was advancing in force upon that position. I immediately 
ordered under arms the portion of the 1st regiment not on picket, 
and Col. Simonton's Eutaw battalion, directing them to proceed 
down the Battery Island road, in front of our intrenchments, to the 
flank of the enemy's advance, and ordered Col. McEnery's Louisi- 
ana battalion to proceed in rear by the bridge to Secessionville, de- 
livering these orders in person. 

Proceeding in advance down the Battery Island road, I ordered 
forward one of the two 6-pounders of Boyce's battery, stationed at 
the crossing of the Fort Johnson road, and, arriving at the scene of 
action, found the enemy making their second advance upon the post 
at Secessionville. A thicket of felled trees ran parallel with their 
line of advance, and about four hundred yards west of it, on the 



4:70 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

edge of which, next the enemy, Col. Sterens had deployed aboul; 
one hundred men, who had been on picket duty near that point. 
These men were from the companies of Capts. Tompkins, Pearson, 
(Lieut. Hammeter, commanding,) and Gooding, (Lieut. Beckham, 
commanding,) of the 24th regiment S. C. volunteers. The Battery 
Island road, so obstructed, as to be impassable by troops or vehicles, 
ran between this felled thicket and a dense wood, stretching towards 
Gnmball'^s, on the Stono. Simonton's battalion, coming up, was 
placed behind the felled thicket in line of battle, its right resting 
near the Battery Island road, and the detachment of the 1st regi- 
ment S. C. volunteei's Avas placed in reserve in the 'Battery Island 
road, throwing a strong line of skirmishers toward the Stono, which 
runs nearly j^arallel with this road, to guard against an advance from 
that 2)oint. Boyce's piece, under Lieut. Jeter, w^as placed on Simon- 
ton's left, at the extremity of the felled tliicket. The object of this 
disposition was chiefly defensive, as a general advance upon our 
lines seemed imminent. Three regiments of infantry advanced in 
front of us, but beyond musket range, to attack the west flank of 
the work at Secessionville, being supported by a battery of field 
artillery, near the Battery Island road, in front, and beyond Simon- 
ton's right. Lieut. Jeter was directed to open upon these regi- 
ments, which he did with effect. I immediately sent to the general 
commanding, asking to be supported hi making an attack upon the 
rear and flank of these regiments. When the permission to attack, 
and the assurance of support arrived, the enemy had retreated. In 
the mean while, the fire of Jeter's jiiece drew upon us a heavy fire 
from the enemy's field battery, which, from the sheltered position 
of our troops, did but little damage, and four companies of the 3d 
Rhode Island regiment were sent as skirmishers to seize the felled 
woods, and capture the piece. Stevens' skirmishers gallantly re- 
pelled them. A portion of the enemy, however, penetrated to 
Simonton's line of battle, and one of his companies, and a platoon of 
another, were for a few minutes engaged in driving them back. A 
few casualties in other portions of his line occurred from the random 
fire of the enemy engaged with our skirmishers, and one man in the 
detachment from the 1st regiment was wounded in the same way. 
The enemy, in retiring, were seen carrying off their wounded. Six 
men were left dead in front of our skirmishers, twelve were left dead 
further on toward Secessionville, where the three regiments spoken 
of were fired upon by Lieut, Jeter, making their loss in this part of 
the field eighteen killed. Eleven prisoners were captured, of whom 
eight were wounded. Sixty-eight small arras^, mostly Enfield rifles. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLP:S. 471 

were abandoned by them, and recovered by this command. Our 
loss was eight killed, twenty-two wounded, and two missing. Ap- 
pended is a detailed list of casualties. 

^ I have the honor to be, 

Very respectfully, 

JOHNSON HAGOOD, 
Colonel \8t S. C. Volunteers, commanding. 



Report of Col. O. W. Stevens, 24th Regiment S. O. 
Volunteers. 

Head-quarters 24th Regiment S. C. Volunteers, 
James Island, June 18, 1862. 
To Col. Johnson Hagood, 

1st Regiment S. C. Volunteers, 

Commanding Advanced Forces : 

Colonel : — In obedience to orders, I beg to submit the follow- 
ing report of the part taken by my regiment in the battle of Seces- 
sionville, on the morning of the 16th instant. 

Seven companies of the 24th regiment S. C. volunteers, with six 
companies of the 1st regiment S. C. volunteers^ and one from the 
47th Georgia regiment, constituted the picket force j^laced under 
my command, and with which I went on duty on Sunday, loth 
instant. This force covered our whole picket line, except that in 
front of Secessionville, which was guarded by pickets from the force 
stationed at that post. 

All remained quiet along the line during the day and night, and 
at day-light I rode to New Town cut, with a view to visit and 
inspect the pickets. On reaching that point, I distinctly heard the 
guns of the enemy in front of Secessionville, and started on my 
return to that point. On my way, I encountered a courier with 
the intelligence that the enemy had advanced in large force to 
storm our works at Secessionville. This information I immediately 
forwarded to yourself and to the head-quarters of the brigadier- 
general commanding, proceeding myself to the front to verify the 
statement. In passing I took portions of four companies of my 
regiment, which hapjjened to be on duty in that vicinity, and moved 
them in the direction of the abatis of felled timber, extending on 
the left of the Battery Island road. 

I ordered Capt. Weaver, company I, to occupy this abatis, to 



472 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

prevent the enemy from penetrating it with his skirmishers. The 
detachments of my other three companies, viz. : company D, Capt. 
Gooding ; company G, Lieut. Hammeter, and company K, Capt. 
Tompkins, numbering less than one hundred men, were posted in a 
heavy thicket, extending from the abatis to the mar^i on the left. 
On taking this position, I found the enemy drawn up in line of 
battle at Hill's house, to my right and front. With my weak force 
this position could only be defensive, and I rode back to ask for 
artillery and supj^ort, which were brought up by you. As all of the 
subsequent events passed under your own observation, it is unneces- 
sary to report them, except that I would especially mention Caj>t. 
Tompkins, company K, and Lieut. Beckham, of company G, and 
the detachments from these two companies, who held their position 
gallantly in the front and did excellent service, until ordered to 
withdraw. 

Lieut.-col. Capers, my second in command, having been sent by 
you to order fire to be opened from the new twenty-four pounder 
battery, in advance of our lines, was retained by Gen. Evans at 
that post, and directed the fire of the battery with his usual gal- 
lantry and efficiency. 

Major Hammond remained at his post in charge of the pickets on 
the hill road and New Town cut. After the enemy had left the 
field, I returned to my picket duties ^ until regularly relieved. I 
append a list of the casualties in my own regiment. 
I have the honor to be. 

Very respectfully, 

C. H. STEVENS, 
Colonel 2ith Hegiment /S. C. Volmiteers. 



List of Casualties in the 24th regiment S. C. Volunteers. 

Company G, Lieut. Hammeter, commanding, — Killed, privates 
M. Dawkins and John Morrell. 

Wounded, private Joel Hunt. 

Company K, Capt. Tompkins, commanding. — Killed, private J. 
E. Bussy. 

Wounded, Lieut. F. W. Anderson, Sergeant S. W. Burton, pri- 
vates James Horn, R. P. Germain, and Pickens New. 

Missing, private James Collins. 

Company D, Capt. Gooding, commanding. — Wounded, Sergeant 
D. U. Bowers. 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 473 

Company I, Capt. L. B. Weaver, commanding. — Missing, private 
John Duncan. 

RECAPITULATION :• 

Killed, 3 

"Wounded, V 

Missing, 2 

Total, 12 



Report of Lieut.-colonel Charles H. Simonton. 

Head-quaeters Eutaw Regiment, 

25th S. C. v., June llth, 1862. 

To Capt. Joseph Walker, 

A. A. A.-general : 

Captain : — I have the honor to make the following report of the 
results of the engagement of yesterday to my regiment. 

Having been ordered to move at reveille, I formed and marched 
my regiment to the field in rear of Hill's house, and having there 
reported to Col. Hagood, was placed by him in position behind a 
hedge. Upon being placed in position, I was informed that Col. 
Stevens had a portion of his regiment deployed as skirmishers in 
our front, and was ordered to take all precautions to prevent oui 
men firing into them. 

Shortly after we took position, we were put under a heavy fire of 
small arms, directed principally against my left wing. In obedience 
to orders, I kept my men under restraint, and prevented any firing, 
until feeling satisfied that the enemy were actually in my front. I 
then gave ordei's to fire. After a brisk fire of about a half hour, 
they were driven off. During their retreat, we were exposed to an 
enfilading fire from a field battery on our flank. 

Below, I append a list of casualties. The behavior of my regi- 
ment was such as I could have wished. 

Lieut. Blum, of the Washingtonton Light Infantry, company B, 
whose company was chiefly under fire, distinguished himself by his 
extreme coolness, encouraging his men. He rendered most efiicient 
aid in restraining their natural desire to return the fire of the enemy. 
The conduct of his men could not be surpassed. They were under 
my eye all the time. Two of his men, privates J. Campbell Mar- 



474 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

tin and T, Grange Simons, Jr. — the first wonnded in the head and 
leg, and the other in three places, with his clothes riddled — con- 
tinued to fire nntil taken from the field. 

A large number of arms and accoutrements were recovered from 
the field, and several prisoners were captured. 

"With this, I inclose the reports of Lieut. Blum and of Capt. 
Adger, Quarter-master. The arms and accoutrements are in the 
hands of the latter, subject to your order. 
Very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 
(Signed) CHARLES H. SIMONTON", 

Lieut.-col. commanding. 



Casualties to Eotaw Regiment — (25th S. C. V.) 
Killed. 

Second Lieut. Richard W. Greer, Washington Light Infantry, co. B. 
First Serg't F. Lanneau, Jr., " " " " 

Private Samuel Salters, " " " " 

Private T. K Gadsden, Jr., " « « " 

Wounded. 

Private J. H. Taverner, Washington Light Infantry, co. B, mortally. 

Private J. C. Martin, " " " " severely. 

Bat. 2d Lieut. S. J. Burger, " " « " " 

Private J. H. Deveaux, " " " " " 

" J. B. Glover, " " " " " 

" T. G. Simons, Jr., « " " " " 

" A. S. Trumbo, " " " « slightly. 

" R. S. McCutchen, « " 

" J. H. Shulte, « " " " " 

" J. P. Gibbes, " " " " " 

" E. V. Shuler, St. Matthews Rifles, slightly. 
" G. M. Dantzler, " " " 

" J. W. Wannamaker, " « " 

Sergeant R. A. Horton, Yeadon Light Infantry, slightly. 
Respectfully submitted, 
(Signed) CHARLES H. SIMONTON, 

Lieut.-col. oammanding Eutaio regiment, 

loth South Carolina Vohmteers. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 475 



Report of Lieutenant R. A. Blum. 

Camp Pettigeew, James Island, S. C, 

June 16th, 1862. 
Lieut.-col. SimoktojSt, 

I beg leave to report the following casualties and incidents of this 
morning's engagement : 

Shortly after our regiment had taken its position, my company 
was subjected to repeated volleys discharged from the thicket, im- 
mediately in our front, which we had been informed was held by a 
company from Col. Stevens' regiment. On this account, in obe- 
dience to orders from Col. Hagood, we did not reply for several 
minutes. Soon after our first volley, which was briskly returned 
by the enemy, Lieut. R. W. Greer, and 1st Sergeant Fleetwood 
Lanneau, Jr., with the following members of my company, fell dead 
upon the field : 

T. N. Gadsden, Jr., and Samuel Satters, J. H. Tavener and J. 
Campbell Martin, sui^posed mortally wounded, 
■ The following were severely wounded : 
Second battalion, Lieut. Samuel J. Burger ; privates H. B. Glover, 
A. S. Trumbo, T. Grange Simons, Jr., J. H. Deveaux, James P. 
Gibbes, R. S. McCutchen, J. H. Shulte. 

It is impossible for me to single out individual instances, where 
all behaved with the utmost coolness and bravery, but I feel that it 
is but just to rejjort the conduct of John .Campbell Martin and T. 
Grange Simons, Jr., as worthy of special notice. After being severe- 
ly wounded, they persisted in reloading and firing until overcome 
by exhaustion. 

I am, yours respectfully, 
(Signed) R. A. BLUM, 

Lieut, commanding W. L. I. Co. B.^ I. H. 



476 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 



Report of Oapt. J. E. Adger. 

Camp Pettigeew, James Island, 

June 16, 1862. 
Lieutenant-colonel Simonton, 

Commanding Eutaxo Megim^ent, 25th S. C. V. 
Colonel : I beg leave to make the following return of ai'ms and 
accoutrements, &c., recovered from the field during, and subsequent 
to, this morning's engagement with the enemy : 

Enfield rifles, in order •. 54 

" " needing repair 3 

" " not repairable 3-60 



Minie " in order 



Total number of arms 68 

Cartridge boxes *. 44 

" " and belts 26 

"Waist belts 28 

" " clasps wanting 9-37 

Bayonet scabbards 38 

Cap boxes > 24 

Cartridges (Enfield) 950 

Very respe'ctfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

J. E. ADGER, 
Quarter-master Eutaio regiment and Acting Ordnance Officer. 



Report of Ijieuteuant-Colonel J. McEnery. 

Secessionville, June 20, 1862. 
To Captain Mallory P. King, 

Assistant Adjutant-general. 
Captain : I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
pai't taken in the battle of the 16th of June, near Secessionville, by 
my battalion. 



OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. -4:77 

A little after dawn, on the morning of the 16th instant, Col. Ha- 
good, commanding 1st regiment, S. C. V., came in person to my 
• quarters, about two miles and a half distant from this place, and 
ordered me to have my battalion under arms and march immediately 
to the Secessionville battery, at which place an engagement with the 
enemy was -being had. "With promptness the battalion was formed, 
and the march, at double-quick, was begun in the direction of 
Secessionville. When arrived at the first cross roads, some little 
delay ensued, arising from my ignorance of the road leading to 
Secessionville. After the lapse of a few moments I was assured aa 
to the right road, and instantly the battalion was moved oflf at 
double-quick for the scene of action. Arriving at Secessionville, I 
was informed that the enemy in force were advancing on the right 
of the battery on the opposite side of the marsh, directly up the 
marsh to the bridge. I hastened my command, at a run, through 
an. open ground to the woods on the marsh. In crossing this open 
marsh, and while placing the battalion in position in the outer edge 
oftthe woods, it was exposed to a terrific fire from the enemy's gun- 
boats, siege battery, field batteries, and small arms. I then ordered 
the men to advance in the skirt of woods, the better to view the 
enemy, and afford it protection from the incessant fire of the enemy. 
At this point, for half an hour, the fire on both sides was indeed 
terrific. Finally, the enemy waned, fell back, and there begun his 
precipitate retreat on the right in front. The gallant Lamar being 
struck down, and being the senior ofiicer present, I caused an inces- 
sant volley of grape and canister to be poured into the broken and 
retreating columns of the enemy, until they passed beyond view. 
Col. Goodlett, my senior ofiicer, arriving about 12 m., assumed com- 
mand. 

I cannot speak in terms of too high praise of the coolness, bravery, 
and gallantry of the ofiicers and men of my little command. I went 
into the action with two hundred and fifty men, and succeeded in 
putting to rout twice that force of the enemy on the right. I think 
that the force of the enemy would undoubtedly have completely 
flanked the battery but for our timely arrival. 

The small band of brave men in the fort, exhausted and broken 
down in their almost superhuman exertions in repeUin^the foe in 
front, must have been unequal to the task of successfully engaging 
the enemy in front and on the right. 

It is impossible to arrive at a correct list of the slain and wounded 
of the enemy, as in his retreat he bore off" the field many of his dead 
and wounded. One hundred and sixty-eight of the enemy were 



478 OFFICIAL REP0ET8 OF BATTLES. 

buried on the field. My battalion brought from the battle- field in 
front the following arms and accoutrements, which have been de- 
livered to the ordnance ofiice, viz. : * 

Enfield rifles (in good condition), 27 

" " (damaged), '. 4 

Rifled muskets (in good condition), 83 

Springfield muskets (in good condition), 62 

" " (damaged), 6 

Total, 182 

Cartridge boxes, 18 

Saddles, 2 

These are arms and accoutrements we gathered on that part of 
the field in front. Troops belonging to other commands, I under- 
stand, picked up a great many arms and accoutrements on the right 
across the marsh. I suppose the above arms are about one-third of 
the number captured. 

The following is a list of casualties in my battalion, to wit : 

Company A. — None killed. Wounded, R. Vaughn and J. Wil- 
liams. 

Company B. — Killed, J. B. Williams and Jno. Gleason. Wound- 
ed, Sergeant B. Thomas, privates J. McClendon, S. W. Robinson, 
W. J. Blyth, A. IST. Packer, and J. B. Honeycutt. 

Company C. — Killed, J. W. Ragan. Wounded, R. Porter, F. 
Carroll, and J. D. Montgomery. 

Company D. — Killed, H, L. Berry. Wounded, R. W. Childers, 
W. Scarborough, J. W. Upsha'w, and J. L. Smith. 

Company E. — Killed, B. C. Campbell, J. Lenier. Wounded, 1st 
Sergeant Perryman, 2d Sergeant Carpenter, privates F. Poyler, J, 
Muckey, Jno. Stockman, and F. Guice. 

Company F. — Wounded (dangerously), Capt. Walker. 

Total killed, 6 

" W' ounded, 22 

Total casualties, 28 

This report would have been made earlier, but now is the first op- 
portunity#ince the battle that I have had to write it. 

I am, captain. 

Your obedient servant, 

J. McENERY, 
Lieut.-col. commanding Wi Louisiana battalion. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 479 

Report of Col. S, D. Goodlett. 

Head-quarters 22d Regiment S. C. V., 

Camp on James Island, S. C, 
Gen. Evans, June 18, 1862. 

James Island, S. G. : 

General: — I have the honor to make the following report of the 
casualties in my command, originating from the fight of the 16th 
instant : 

In obedience to an order from head-quarters, I detailed one hun- 
dred picket men, ten from each company, to go as a fatigue party 
about 1 o'clock a. m., of the 16th instant, to Secessionville, I 
placed Capt. Joshua Jamison in command of the detail, and Lieuts. 
L. S. Hill, H. H. Sally, and J. B. Cobb, -were detailed as Lieuts., 
thus completing a command as one company. 

This detail arrived at Secessionville in time to meet the first onset 
of the enemy. Capt. Jamison, and Lieuts. Hill, Sally, and Cobb, 
acted with great coolness, courage, and determination, and sustained 
and supported Capt. Reid's battery to the last. The ranks of this 
detail, as will be seen by the exhibit "A," accompanying this, were 
decimated. Killed ten, wounded seven. • 

The balance of my command were ordered to support the battery 
to the right of Secessionville, when a galling fire was opened upon 
us from the enemy's artillery, without damage. 

We were then ordered to the support of Secessionville, and ar- 
rived there at the close of the engagement. 

I am happy to state that my command throughout acted with 
coolness and determination ; and that too much praise cannot be 
bestowed upon Capt. Jamison and the lieutenants and detail before 
alluded to, for the manner in which they demeaned themselves in 
the fight. 

I would state one fact, before bringing this report to q, close, that 
according to the number actively engaged, that the detail of one 
hundred men made from my command, under Capt. Jamison, suf- 
fered more in proportion than any of the forces on our side. 
I have the honor to be, sii". 

Your obedient servant, 
S. D. GOODLETT, 
Col. commanding 22d regiment tS. C V, 



480 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Letter of Brig.-gen. Isaac I. Stevens, commanding 
Federal forces. 

Head-quarters 2d Division, N. D. D. S., 

James Island, S. C, June 18, 1862. 
To the Commanding General of the Gonfedefrate Forces on James 

Island, S. C: 

Sir : — In the action of the 16th it is known that some of our dead, 
and, it is probable, that a few of our wounded were left at, or in 
rear of, your works. In compliance with the urgent wishes of 
friends, and in accordance with my own convictions of propriety 
and of duty, I have determined to send a flag of truce to ascertain 
the names of the killed and of the wounded, and, if practicable, to 
recover the bodies of the dead. 

It will be ever ray determination to conform, in the most ample 
manner, to the usages of civilized and Christian warfare, and I have 
seen to it that all of your men, who are now prisoners in our hands, 
have been treated with courtesy and respect. I am glad to learn 
that, on your part, the same course has been taken towards the 
prisoners recently taken by you. 

The bearers of the flag of truce I now send to you are my di- 
vision Surgeon, Dr. George S. Kemble, and my aid-de-camp, Capt. 
AVm. T. Lusk, and I trust you will find it consistent with your duty 
to extend to them every proper facility to procure information in 
regard to their missing comrades, and, if possible, to recover the 
remains of the dead. 

We shall be glad to send money and clothing to our prisoners in 
your hands, and in return will see that articles of necessity and com- 
forts, which their friends desire to send, safely reach your men, 
prisoners with us. 

I am, sir, very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

ISAAC I. STEVEiiS, 
Brig.-gen. commanding. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 481 



Reply of Brig. -general N. G. Evans. 

Head-quarters Jambs Island, 

June 18, 1862. 
Brig.-gen. Steven^s, Gomina.nding Federal JPhrces, <&c. : 

General: — Your communication, through a flag of truce, borne 
by Dr. Geo. S. Kemble and Capt. Wm. T. Lusk, has just been 
received, and, in reply thereto, I have the honor to state that the 
information desired as to the names and condition of your wounded, 
in the engagement of the 16th instant, will be cheerfully furnished 
you at an early hour. The wounded having been sent to the city 
of Charleston, it is necessary to communicate with that place first. 

I have also to state that your dead, as far as found, have been 
decently interred. 

It has ever been the custom of our armies to conform to the 
" usages of civilized and Christian warfare," and our wounded and 
prisoners have been, and are being, well cared for in all respects. 
I send this by my aid-de-camp, Capt, W. H. Rodgers. 
Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

N. G. EVANS, 
Brig.-gen. commanding Confederate Forces. 



List of Killed^ Wounded and 3Iissing in the different corps 
engaged in the fight of the l6th dag of J-une, 1862, at Secessio?i- 
ville, South Carolinay James Island. 

Lamar's RegimejStt op Artillery, S. C. 

Wounded, Col. T. G. Lamar. 

Company B. — Killed, Capt. S. J. Reed, 2d Sergeant James M. 
Baggott ; privates Elbert Bates, R, R. Bates, H. H. Eyches, W. J. 
Nix, W. Redmond, D. J. Reiley, and G. W. Watson. 

Mortally woimded, (since dead), privates Chesley Bates and Jeff. 
C. Eaves. 

Severely wounded — Sergeant R. F. Nevills ; privates W. W. 
Bellinger, W. Flemming, Reddick Pitts, W. J. Chitty, F. M. King, 
L. L. Cox, H. H. N^vills, S. H. Nevills, 11. L. Baggott, Thomas 
Ursery, W. D. Elkins, J. W. Gillam, S. G. Mitchell, B. II. Dychcs, 
J. W. Philips, D. P. Hutson, W. J. Martin, J. B. Corbit, J. R. 
Mairs, and W. Whaley. 

31 



482 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Slightly wounded — Corporal N. A. K. Walker ; privates A. O. 
Houser, J. J. Walker, D. Holder, W. R. Delk, and J. Templeton. 

Missing — Private W. P. Hair, previously wounded. 

Company 1. — Killed, privates W. H. Aruaker, J. A. R. Shuter, 
H. A, Hoover, Daniel Kelly, J. W. Gibson, and J, Jones. 

Wounded severely — Sergeant Geo. Boliver ; private J. C. Evans. 

Wounded slightly — Sergeants J. Marchant, S. C. L. Miller ; pri- 
vates J. C. Stephenson, N. A. Whetitone, G. J. Bonnett, G. J. Par- 
lor, J. Robinson, and J. W. Golson. 

BECAPITDXATION : 

Killed, 15 

Since dead, 2 

Wounded, 38 

Missing, 1 

Total, 66 



22<? Regiment S. C. Volunteers. 

Company A. — Killed, privates R. A. Cowan, and Benjamin 
Harris. 

Company B. — Wounded, private John Wheeler. 

Company C. — Wounded, private Edward Sigemore. 

Company D. — Killed, privates William Roach, and Henry Pres- 
sure. 

Company E. — Killed, private J. J. Spivay. 

Wounded, privates W. F, Council, and Francis Connell. 

Company F. — Wounded, private William Gilstrap. 

Company G. — Killed, privates Thomas A. Stribling, and Henry 
Orr. 

Company H. — Wounded, private Thomas Bowers. 

Company 1, — Killed, privates Liona Justus, and Duman Wooley 

Wounded, private P. Tar. 

Company K, — Killed, private Alfred Cawer. 

Wounded, private E. P. Campbell. 

EECAPITULATION : 

Killed 10 

Wounded 8 

Total 18 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 483 

Smith's Battalion S. C. Volunteers. 

Company A. — Seriously wounded, privates Henry Cooper, and 
Alexander Brown. 

Slightly wounded, Lieut. W. T. Jarvis, and Sergeant W. T. 
Smith. 

Missing, privates William Russ, and F. M. Jordan, captured on 
picket. 

Company B. — Killed, private Duncan Deas. 

Seriously wounded (since dead), Sergeant W. L. McFarland. 

Seriously wounded, private Jesse Pierce. 

Slightly wounded, privates R. D. Moore, John R. Threat, and 
Isaac Hurst. 

Company C. — Seriously wounded, privates William Cole, and 
Thos. Driggers. 

Slightly wounded. Corporal John Roller, and private Leonard 
Orxendien. 

Company D. — Killed, privates J. T. Alford and H. Lay. 

Seriously wounded, 1st Lieut, J. G. Beaty. 

Slightly wounded, privates S. Jones and M. Stalrey. 

Company F. — Seriously wounded, private C. C. Anderson. 

Slightly wounded, Corporal E. F. Sandsbury, and privates W. D. 
Collins, and J. E. P. Hickson. 

Company G. — Seriously wounded, privates L. Stricken and Wm. 
Elliott. 

Slightly wounded, 1st Sergeant J. H. Williamson, and private J. 
W. Tripp. 

EECAPITDXATIOlSr : 

Killed 3 

Since dead 1 

Wounded 22 

Missing.* 3 

Total c. 29 



Charleston Battalion— Field and Staff. 

Wounded slightly, Lieut.-col. P. C. Gaillar(J. 
Wounded severely, Capt. R. Press Smith, A. Q. M. 
Company A.— Wounded slightly, Capt. Julien A. Blake, and 
Lieut. F. Lynch. 



484 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Company B. — Killed, private J. B. TV. Hammett. 
Wounded mortally, private P. Gilhooly. 

Wounded slightly, privates M. Lacy, J. P. Johnson, and W. H 
SutchliflFe. 

Missing, private J. R. Gibbs. 

Company C. — Killed, private Dan Howard. 

Wounded severely, private John May. 

Wounded slightly, Lieut. John Burke and private J. P. Mur- 

pty- 

Company D. — Killed, Capt. H. C. King, Lieut. J. J. Edwards, 
Corporal J. Volentine ; privates G. Poynauski and J. F. Edgarton. 

Wounded, Sergeant J. J. Wells ; privates R. C. Evans, A. Rou- 
millat, E. L. Terry, W. W. Johnson, H. Neofuille, H. Volentine, E. 
S. Tennent, G. W. Dingle and T. P. Lockwood. 

Company E. — Killed, private Thomas Pai-ker. 

Wounded, Capt. F. T. Miles. Lieut. J. W. Axson, sergeant S. C. 
Black ; privates C. P. Brown, C. B. Buist, Isaac Holmes, H. E. 
Choate, and J. E. Smith. 

Company F. — Killed, Sergeant R. J. Henery and private James 
Davis. 

Wounded, Lieut. George Brown and private William Commins. 

RECAPITULATION : 

Killed 10 

Wounded 30 

Missing 2 

Total 42 



Eutaw ^Battalion. 

Company B, — Killed, 2d Lieut. R. W. Greer, Sergeant Fleet- 
wood Launeau, Jr. ; privates Samuel Salters and Thomas N. Gads- 
den, Jr. 

Wounded mortally, privates J. H. Tavener and J. C. Martin, 

Wounded severely, 2d Lieut, S. J. Burger ; privates J, H. De- 
vaux, A. B. Glover, and T. G. Simons. 

Wounded slightly, privates A. S. Trumbo, Robert G. McChutch- 
en, J. H. Shulte, and J. P. Gibbs. 



OFFICIAL REPOETS OF BATTLES. 485 

Lieutenant Mathews'' Rifles. 
Wounded slightly, privates E. V. Shuler, G. M. Dantzler, and J. 
W. Wannamaker. 

Zeadon Light Infantry. 
Wounded slightly, Sergeant R. A. Wharton. 

KECAPITXJLATION ! 

Killed 4 

Wounded 14 

Total 18 

24^A Begiment 8. C. Volunteers, 
Company D. — Killed, none. 
Wounded, Sergeant D. W. Bowers. 

Company G. — Killed, privates M. Dawkins and John Mowells. 
Wounded, private Joel Hunt. 
Company I. — ^Wounded and missing, private John Duncan. 

Company K.— Killed, private J. E, Bussy. 
Wounded, Lieut. F. W. Anderson, Sergeant G. W. Benton ; 
privates James Hern, K. P. Gomain, and Pickens New. 
Missing, private John Duncan. 

KECAPITTTLATION : 

Killed 3 

Wounded '^ 

Missing 2 

Total 12 



Alth Regiment Georgia Volunteers. 
Company B.— Killed, Lieut. B. A. Graham. 

BECAPITDXATION : 

Killed 1 



Total 



1 



4:S^ OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Is^ Hegiment S. G. Volunteer's. 
Company H. — Wounded, private John A. Nichole. 

KECAPITULATION : 

Wounded 1 

Total 1 

4th Louisiana battalion. 

Company A. — Wounded, privates R. S. Vaughan and James 
Williams. 

Company B. — Killed, privates J. B. Williams and John Gleason. 

Wounded, Sergeant B. Thomas; privates Jeff. McClendon, S. W. 
Robinson, W. J. Blythe, A. N. Packer, and J. B. Honeycutt. 

Company C. — Killed, private J. W. Ragan. ' 

Wounded, privates P. Portei*, F. Carrol, and J. D. Montgomery. 

Company D. — Wounded, privates H. L. Berry, R. W. Childers, 
T. Mehau, W. Scarborough, J. W. Upshan, and J. L. Smith. 

Company E. — Killed, privates B. P. Campbell and Joseph 
Lanier. 

Wounded, Sergeants W. J. Perryman and A. D. Carpenter; 
privates F. Tayloi*, J. Mulkey, John Stopman, and J. Gryce. 

Company F. — Wounded, Capt. James H. Walker. 

EECAPITULATION : 

Killed 5 

Wounded 24 

Total 29 



TOTAL CASUALTIES. 

Killed 51 

Wounded 144 

Missing 9 

Since dead 3 

Total 207 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 487 

Mames of Individuals reported by Commanders, as Distinguished 
for Gallant Conduct in the Affair at James Island. 

In the report of Brig.-gen. N. G. Evans : 

Col. T, G, Lamar, Lamar's regiment S. C. artillery, for gallant 
and meritorious conduct. 

Lieut.-col. Gaillard, Charleston battalion S. C. V. (mentioned 
particularly in report of Col. T. G. Lamar), gallant conduct. 

Lieut.-col. A. D, Smith, Smith's battalion S. C. V. (mentioned 
particularly in report of Col. T. G. Lamar), gallant conduct. 

Capt. Samuel J. Reed, Company B, I^amar's regiment artillery, 
fell gallantly fighting one of his guns, again mentioned in report of 
Col. T. G. Lamar. 

Personal staff: 

1st Lieut. W. H. Rogers, special aid-de-camp, rendered valuable 
service in transmitting orders under fire. 

Capts, R. E, Elliott, Samuel J. Corrie, and H. W. Carr, volunteer 
aids-de-camp, rendered valuable service in transmitting orders under 
fire. 

Assistant Surgeon James Evans, rendered material aid to the 
wounded. 

In the report of Col. T. G. Lamar : 

Lieut.-col. A. D. Smith, Smith's battalion S. C. Y., gallant and 
meritorious conduct (mentioned in report of Brig.-gen. N. G. Evans). 

Lieut.-col. C. P. Gaillard, Charleston battalion, gallant conduct, 
mentioned in rejoort of Brig.-gen. N. G. Evans, stationed in the 
centre and on the right of battery, at Secessionville, and subsequent- 
ly in command of the battery. 

Major David Ramsey, Charleston battalion, meritorious conduct 
on the right of the battery at Secessionville. Major Hudson, Smith's 
battalion, meritorious conduct, on the left of the battery at Seces- 
sionville., 

Capt. Samuel J. Reed, company B, Lamar's reginient artillery, ■ 
fell fighting at one of his guns on the battery at Secessionville (men- 
tioned in Brig.-gen. Evans' report). 

Capt. F. T. Miles, Calhoun Guard, Charleston battalion, gallant 
conduct, stationed on battery at Secessionville. 

Capt. G. D. Keitt, Lamar's regiment artillery, great bravery. 

Lieuts. Barton, Olive'r, and Mosley, same regiment, great 
bravery. 

Senior 1st Lieut. J. B. Humbert, company I, Lamar's regiment 



488 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

artillery, specially mentioned for great bravery and valuable ser- 
vice, stationed in battery at Secessionville, 8-inch colunibiad. 

Lieuts. Lancaster and Johnson, company B, Lamar's regiment, 
and Lieut. Bellinger, of same company, gallant conduct, in battery 
at Secessionville. 

Lieut, W. H. Retchings, company H, Lamar's regiment, gallant 
conduct, Reed's battery, Clarke's house. 

Adjutant E. J. Frederick, Lamar's regiment, gallant conduct, 
battery at Secessionville, and Reed's battery at Clarke's house. 

Capt, W, W. McCreery, ordnance department, C. S. A., ren- 
dered valuable service at the eight-inch columbiad in the battery 
at Secessionville. * 

Capt. Bonneau, Lieuts. Mathews and Hall, C. S. N., rendered 
valuable service at the eight-inch columbiad in the battery at 
SecessionvUle. 

In the report of Col. S. D. Goodlett, 22d regiment S. C. V. : 
Capt. Joshua Jamison, Lieut. L. S. Hill, H. H. Lally, and J. B. 

Cobb, valuable service and gallant conduct in sustaining the battery 

at Clarke's house. 

In the report of Col. Stephens, 24th regiment S. C. V. : 
Lieut.-col. Capers, 24th regiment S. C. V., gallant conduct in 
defending advanced battery of 24-pound guns. 

Capt. Tompkins, company K, and Lieut. Beckham, company G. 
gallant conduct in holding advanced position until ordered to with- 
draw. 

In the report of Lieut.-col. A. W. Smith, Smith's battalion S. 
C. V. : 

Lieut. Campbell, company F, gallant conduct in personally re- 
pulsing an assaulting party on the left of the battery at Secession- 
ville. 

Capt. W. H. Ryan, valuable service in battery at Secessionville. 

Lieut. E. Brown, company F, and Lieut. Alexander A. Allemory, 
Irish volunteers, valuable service in carrying ammunition through 
fire of artillery and infantry. 

Sergeant Hendricks, valuable service in carrying ammunition 
under heavy fire, in battery at Secessionville. 

Pi'ivate Joseph Tennent, of the Calhoun Guard, gallant conduct 
on the left of battery at Secessionville. 

In report of Lieut.-col Simonton, " Eutaw battalion:" 
Lieut. Blum, Washington Light Infantry, company B, gallant 
conduct, advanced position, on the right flank. 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 4S9 

Privates J. Campbell Martin and George Simons, Jr., gallant 
conduct, both severely wounded, but still fought until exhausted 
and carried off, mentioned in report of Lieut. Blum. 

In report of Lieut. Blum, commanding detachment of Eutaw 
battalion : 

Privates J. Campbell Martin and Grange Martin, Jr., gallant con- 
duct (mentioned in report of Col. Simonton). 



REPORT OF THE EXPEDITION INTO KENTUCKY. 

BEIGADIEE-GENERAL MOEGAN COMMANDING. 



Head-quarters Morgan's Co&mand, 

Knoxville, Tenn., July 30, 1862. 
To R. A. Allston, 

Assistant Adjutant-general : 

General : I have the honor to report, that upon the day of the 
engagement at Tomkinsville, a full report of which I have already 
sent you, I moved my command, consisting of my own regiment, 
the Georgia regiment of Partizan Rangers, commanded by Col. A. A. 
Hunt, and Major Gano's Texas squadron, to which was attached two 
companies of Tennessee cavalry, in the direction of Glasgow, which 
place I reached at 12 o'clock that night. 

There were but few troops in the town, who fled at our approach. 
The commissary stores, clothing, &c., together with a large supply 
of medical stores, found in Glasgow, were burned, and the guns 
were distributed among my command, about two hundred of which 
were unarmed when I left Knoxville. From Glasgow, I proceeded 
along the main Lexington road to Barren river, halting for a short 
time at a point near Cave city, my object being to induce the belief 
that I intended destroying the railroad bridge between Bowling 
Green and Woodsonville. I caused wires connecting with the port- 
able battery that I carried with me to be attached to the telegraph 
line near Horse cave, and intercepted a number of dispatches. At 
Bai-ren river, I detached three companies under Capt. Jack Allen, 
to move forward rapidly and destroy the Salt river bridge, that the 



490 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

troops along the line of railroad might be prevented from returning 
to Louisville. On the following morning I moved on towards 
Lebanon, distant thirty-five miles from Barren river. At 11 o'clock 
at night I reached the bridge over Rolling Fork, six miles from 
Lebanon. The enemy had received information of my approach 
from their spies, and my advance guard was tired upon at the bridge. 
After a short fight the force at the bridge was dispersed, and the 
planks which had been torn up having been replaced, the command 
moved forward to Lebanon. 

About two miles from the town, a skirmish commenced between 
two companies I caused to dismount and deploy, and a force of the 
enemy posted upon the road, which was soon ended by its disper- 
sion and capture. Lieut.-col. A. Y. Johnson, commanding the troops 
in the town, surrendered, and I entered the place. The prisoners 
'taken, in number about sixty-five, were parolled. I took immediate 
possession of the telegraph, and intercepted a dispatch to Col. John- 
son, informing him that Col. Owens, with the 60th Indiana regiment, 
had been ordered to his assistance. So I at once disi^atched a com- 
pany of Texas- rangers, under Major Gano, to destroy the railroad 
bridge on the Lebanon branch, which he successfully accomplished 
iu time to prevent the arrival of the troops. I burned two long 
buildings full of commissary stores, consisting of upwards of five 
hundred sacks of coffee and a large amount of all other supplies in 
bulk, marked for the army at Cumberland Gap. I also destroyed a 
very large amount of clothing, boots, &c. I burned the hospital 
buildings, which appeared to have been recently erected and fitted 
up, together with about thirty-five wagons and fifty-three new 
ambulances. I found in the place a large store of medicines, five 
thousand stand of arms, with accoutrements, about two thousand 
sabres, and an immense quantity of ammunition, shells, &c. I dis- 
tributed the best arms among my corannind, and loaded one wagon 
with them, to be given to recruits that I expected to join me. I 
also loaded a wagon with ammunition. The remainder of the arms, 
ammunition, and the hospital and medical stores, I destroyed. 
While in Lebanon, I ascertained from telegraphic dispatches th \t I 
intercepted, that the force which had been started from Lebai*on 
junction to reinforce Lieut.-col. Jonnson, had met and dri\ en back 
the force under Capt. Jack Allen, killing one of the men, and pre- 
venting him from accomplishing the purpose for which he had been 
detached. I proceeded from Lebanon on the following day, through 
Springfield to Macksville, at whicli point I was attacked by home 
guards. Two of my men were taken prisoners, and one severely 



OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 491 

wounded. I remained at Macksville that night to recorer the 
prisoners, which I did the next morning. I then left for Harrods- 
burg, capturing a Federal captain and lieutenant on the road. 
Reached Harrodsburg at half-past twelve o'clock ; found that the 
home guard of all that portion of country had fled to Lexington. 
A fojrce was also stationed on the bridge where the Lexington road 
crosses the Kentucky river. My reception at this place was very 
encouraging ; the whole population appeared to turn out and vie 
with each other as to who should show us most attention. I left 
Harrodsburg at six o'clock the same evening, and moved to Law- 
renceburg, twenty miles distant, threatening Frankfort, in order to 
draw off the troops from (Tcorgetown. I remained there until the 
return of the courier from Frankfort, who brought the information 
that there was a force in Frankfort of two or three thousand men, 
consisting of home guards collected from the adjacent counties, and 
a few regular troops. From Lawrenceburg I proceeded to Shrykes' 
ferry, on the Kentucky river, raised the boat which had been sunken, 
and crossed that evening, reaching Versailles at seven o'clock, I 
found this place abandoned by its defenders, who had fled to Lex- 
ington. Remained there that night, and on the next morning 
marched towards Georgetown. 

While at Varsailles, I took about three hundred Government 
horses and mules. I passed through Midway on the way to George- 
town, and was informed, just before reaching the place, that a train 
from Frankfort was nearly due, with two regiments of Federals. 
I tore up the track, and posted the howitzers to command it, and 
formed my command along the line of the road, but the train was 
warned of our presence, and returned to Frankfort. Having taken 
possession of the telegraph ofiice, I intercepted a dispatch, asking 
if the road was clear, and if it would be safe to start the train 
from Lexington. I replied to send the train, and made prepara- 
rations to receive it, but it was also turned back and escaped. I 
reached Georgetown, 12 miles from Lexington, that evening. Just 
before entering the town, I was informed that a small force of 
home guards had mustered to oppose us. I sent them word to 
surrender their arms, and they should not be molested, but they 
fled. The people of Georgetown also welcomed us with gladness, 
and provided my ti'oops with every thing they needed. I remained 
at Georgetown two days, during which time I sent out a company, 
under Capt. McMillan, to destroy the track between Midway and 
Lexington, and Midway and Frankfort, and to blow up the stone 
bridge on that road, which he successfully accomplished. Hearing 



492 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

that a company of home guard were encamped at Stamping 
grounds, thirteen miles distant, I dispatched a company, under Capt. 
Hamilton, to break up their encampment, burn the tents and 
stores, and destroy the guns. This was also accomplished, Capt. 
Hamilton taking fifteen prisoners and all their guns, and destroy- 
ing a large amount of medical and commissary stores. I also, while 
at Georgeto\\Ti, sent Capt. Castleman, with his company, to destroy 
the railroad bridges between Paris and Lexington, and report 
to me at Winchester. This was done. 

Determining to move on Paris, with a view of returning, and 
hearing that the place was being rapidly reinforced from Cincin- 
nati, I deemed it of great importance to cut off the communication 
from that place, while I drew off the troops that were already 
there by a feint on Lexington. I therefore dispatched a portion 
of two companies towards Lexington, with instructions to drive 
the pickets to the very entrance of the city, while I moved the 
command towards Cynthiana. When I arrived within three miles 
of this place, I learned that it was defended by a considerable force 
of infantry, cavalry and artillery. I dispatched the Texas squadr 
ron, under Major Gano, to enter the town on the right, the Georgia 
regiment to cross the river and get in the rear, while I moved my 
own regiment, with the artillery, under the command of Lieut. J, 
E. Harris, down the Georgetown pike. A severe engagement took 
place, which lasted about an hour and a half before the enemy were 
driven into the town and compelled to surrender. I took four 
hundred and twenty prisoners, including about seventy home guard. 
I regret to have to mention the loss of eight of my men in killed, 
and twenty -nine wounded. The enemy's loss was 194 in killed 
and wounded, according to their own account. Their excess in 
killed and wounded is remarkable, as they fought us from behind 
stone fences, and fired at us from buildings as we charged through 
the town. We captured a very fine 12-pounder brass piece of ar- 
tillery, together with a large number of small arms, and about 
three hundred Government hoi-ses. I found a very large supply of 
commissary and medical stores, tents, guns, and ammunition at this 
place, which I destroyed. The paroUed prisoners were sent under 
an escort to Falmouth, where they took the train for Cincinnati. I 
proceeded the next morning towards Paris, and was met on the 
road by the bearer of a flag of truce, offering the unconditional 
surrender of the place. I reached Paris at 6 o'clock, remained 
there that night, and started towards Winchester the next morning. 
As my command was filing out of Paris on the Winchester pike, I 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 493 

discovered a large force of Federals coming towards the town from 
the direction of Lexington. They immediately counter-marched, 
supposing, no doubt, that my intention was to get in their rear. 
This enabled me to bring off my entire command without molesta- 
tion, with the exception of two of my pickets, who were probably 
surprised. Reached Winchester that day at 12 o'clock, remained 
until 4 o'clock, when I proceeded towards Richmond. At Win- 
chester I found a number of arms, which were destroyed. I arriv- 
ed at Richmond at 12 o'clock that night, and remained until the 
next afternoon, when I proceeded to Crab Orchard. I had deter- 
mined to make a stand at Richmond, and await reinforcements, as 
the whole people appeared ready to rise and join me, but I received 
information that large bodies of cavalry, under Gen. Clay Smith and 
Cols. Woolford, Metcalf, Mundy, and Wynkop, were endeavoring 
to surround me at this place, so I moved on to Crab Orchard. 
There I attached my portable battery to the telegraph leading from 
Stanford to Louisville, and learned the exact j^osition of the ene- 
my's forces, and directed my movements accordingly. Leaving 
Crab Orchard at 11 o'clock, I arrived at Somerset, distant 28 miles, 
at sun-down. I took possession of the telegraph, and counter- 
manded all the previous orders that had been given by Gen, Boyle 
to pursue me, and remained here in perfect security all night. I 
found a very lai'ge supply of commissary stores, clothing, blankets, 
shoes, hats, &c., at this place, which were destroyed. I also found 
the arms that had been taken from Gen. Zollicoffer, together with 
large' quantities of shell and ammunition, all of which were destroy- 
ed. I also burned at this place and Crab Orchard about one 
hundred and twenty government wagons. 

From Somerset, I proceeded to Monticello, and from thence to a 
point between Lexington and Sparta, where my command is now 
encamped. I left Knoxville on the 4th day of this month, with 
about nine hundred men, and returned to Lexington on the 28th 
inst., with nearly twelve hundred, having been absent just twenty- 
four days, during which time I travelled over a thousand miles, cap- 
tm-ed seventeen towns, destroyed all the Government supplies and 
arms in them, dispersed about fifteeen hundred home guard, and 
parolled nearly twelve hundred regular troops. I lost in killed, 
wounded, and missing, of the number that I carried into Kentucky, 
about ninety. I take great pleasure in testifying to the gallant 
bravery and efficiency of my whole command. There were indi- 
vidual instances of daring so conspicuous that I must beg the privi- 
lege of referring to them. "Private Moore, of Louisiana, a member 



4:94 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

of company A, of my regiment, particularly distinguished himself 
by leading a charge, which had an important effect in winning the 
battle. The report of the regimental commanders, which are in- 
closed, are respectively referred to for further instances of individual 
bravery and efficiency. I feel indebted to all my aids for the prompt- 
ness with which my orders were executed, and particularly to Col. 
St. Leger Grenfel,for the assistance which his experience afforded me. 
All of which is respectfully submitted, 
(Signed) JOHN H. MORGAN, 

Actitig Brig.-gen. C. S. A. 



Report of Lieut.-col. B. W. Duke. 

Cynthiana, July iTth, 1862. 
Capt. R. A. Alston, 

Assistant Adjutant-general : 
Sir : During the engagement to-day, the regiment engaged the 
enemy on the Georgetown pike, and after a desperate fight of about 
an hour and a half, succeeded in driving them into the town, where 
a hot street fight occurred, lasting until near dark. We took the 
12-pound brass piece that had so annoyed us during the early part 
of the action. 

Where all engaged acted so nobly, 'tis difficult to particularize ; 
but it is generalfy conceded that company A covered itself with 
glory, which is acknowledged by the regiment. 

P. H. THORP, Adjuta7it. . 



Capt. R. A. Alston, 

Assistant Adjutant-general : 
In the action referred to above, my regiment was deployed upon 
the Georgetown pike, companies A and B ujjon the right, com- 
panies E and F upon the left. After a stubborn fight, the enemy 
were driven from all the positions in the edge of the town. Com- 
pany B was then sent to the extreme, to engage a for<?e which 
threatened our right flank, and succeeded in dispersing it. Com- 
panies E and F charged up to the bank of the river, under a severe 
fire of musketry and grape, and were f)revented from entering the 



OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 495 

town only by the depth of the water at that point. Company A 
crossed the river at a ford near the bridge, charged across the 
bridge, and, after a very severe contest, drove the enemy from the 
houses near the bridge. Company C, previously held in reserve, 
charged through the town on horseback, and forced the enemy to 
abandon their artillery, and cleared that street. The two last-named 
companies, then uniting with the Georgians, who had dashed in upon 
the left, forced the enemy to abandon the depot, and subsequently 
the town. 

It is almost impossible to speak in terms too high of the different 
officers under my command ; good conduct and individual gallantry 
were so common, that it almost ceased to be a matter of remark. 

Capts. Hutchingson and Webber led their companies in perfect 
order through a fire that was unusually severe. Lieut. J. A. Smith 
and Bowyer, of company A, were both severely wounded in front 
of that company, and in the midst of the enemy. 

Capt. Bowles and Lieut. Myers, of company C, behaved with 
great gallantry ; the latter was struck from his horse, but fortun- 
ately the wound was but slight. 

Lieut. White, commanding company B, performed the duty as- 
signed him, and kept his company in front of a superior force for 
nearly an hour, finally dispersing it. 

I have the pleasure to report the gallant and efficient conduct of 
Capt. Thorpe, adjutant of my regiment, and my thanks are due him 
for the manner in which he superintended the execution of every 
order. I cannot too highly compliment Col. St. Leger Grenfel, who 
acted with my reginient, for the execution of an order, which did, 
perhaps, more than any thing else to gain the battle. His example 
gave new courage to every one who witnessed it. I have the honor 
to report that every one in my regiment gave satisfaction to myself 
and their respective commanders. 

B. W. DUKE, 
JLieut.-col. commanding regiment. 



496 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 



Report of Lieut-col. F. M. Nix. 

Head-quarters Camp Smith, 
Near Knoxville, Tenn., July 30, 1862, 
R. A. Alston, 

A. A. A.-gen. 3Torgan''s Brigade: 

Sir : I have the honor to submit the following report of the action 
of the 1st regiment Georgia Partizan Rangers, in the battle of Cyn- 
thiana, on Thursday, 17th inst. : 

On Thursday, the 1 Vth inst., when the brigade had arrived withiij 
a few miles of Cynthiana, I was ordered by Gen. Morgan to detach 
my regiment, and attack the town on the west side, at the report of 
the cannon. Having made a circuit of five or more miles, through 
plantations, and over many obstructions not anticipated, with all 
possible dispatch, I arrived in the suburbs, and formed a line a few 
minutes after the signal of attack was heard, when I observed a 
body of the enemy's cavalry advancing towards my line, which were 
pi'omptly repulsed by a volley from my command. Having ad- 
vanced a short distance, I ordered Capt. Jones to dei)loy his com- 
pany (A) to the right of the pike, in order to cover the whole of 
the rear of the town, and prevent the escape of the enemy in case 
of their defeat. Before the whole of company A, however, could 
be deployed, it encountered a body of cavalry advancing on the 
pike, which were repulsed, after a sharp contest. • Advancing further, 
Capt. Jones encountered a force of artillery with one brass field 
piece, which he charged and repulsed, the enemy, having the piece 
behind them, still advancing, and completing the deployment to 
the right of the pike. Company A captured sixty-eight prisoners, 
marched them to a corner of the main street, and left them in charge 
of a squad under command of Lieut. R. H. Chapman. At this 
juncture, intelligence having reached Capt. Jones, through a pris- 
oner, that a reinforcement of seven hundred men was coming in by 
railroad, he ordered Quarter-master-sergeant John C. Allen to take 
a file of men, and burn a long railroad bridge in his rear, Avhich was 
promptly executed, the remainder of the company advancing until 
the firing ceased. 

Company B, advancing along Main street, driving before it a 
body of the enemy, killed some and -caj^tured many. Lieut. Mea- 
dows and a private of said company, and private S. T. Moore, of 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 497 

company A, being the first to appro.acli the brass field piece, which 
was captured. Advancing along Main street, this company was 
ordered to dislodge a party of the enemy from a garden, which was 
promptly executed. Companies B and C, and a portion of com- 
pany A, were then ordered to charge the depot and a neighboring 
brick building, from which tlie enemy was j^ouring an incessant fire. 
After a severe conflict they drove the enemy from both these strong- 
lx)lds, killing and capturing several of them, and afterwards pursu- 
ing the enemy to the corn-field, in which they made their last stand. 
The only casualty in company B was one man wounded ; in com- 
pany C, two killed and six' wounded, three slightly and three se- 
verely ; among the latter was 2d Lieut. Thomas E. Pitts. The left 
wing, viz. : companies D, E, and F, under command of Major Sam- 
uel J. Winn, advanced steadily on the left of the pike, engaging the 
enemy at several points, and driving them into the centre of the 
town, having killed and captured a number of them, and not halting 
until the enemy was routed. The left wing sustained no loss either 
in killed or wounded. I feel that many thanks and much praise are 
due to the officers and soldiers of my command for ,their highly 
creditable and heroic conduct on the occasion of this battle. All of 
which is respectfully submitted. 

F. M. NIX, 
Lie'at.-col. commanding \st regimejit Georgia Partizan Rangers. 



Report of Major R. M. Gano, commanding battalion 
cavalry in Morgan's brigade. 

To John H. Morgan, 

Brig -gen. commanding brigade in the 

Kentucky expedition of July., 1862. 
Honored Sir : — I have the pleasure of reporting to you the 
action of the battalion under my command in the recent expedition 
to Kentucky. This report is intended to embrace only the action 
of the battalion while separated from the other troops under your 
command. The battalion was composed of four companies — two 
Texas companies under my command, known as the Texas squad- 
ron ; company A, commanded by Lieut. Speen, and company B, by 
Capt. HauflTman, and two Tennessee companies, viz. : company C, 
commanded by Capt. McMillan, and company D, by Capt. Hamilton, 
having left Knoxville on the morning of the 4th of July, 1862. We 
reached Walden's ridge on the evening of the 5th, where the bush- 

32 



49 S OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

whackers fired upon our foraging party, mortally wounding Mr. J. 
N. O'Brien, of company A, of the Texas squadron. He lived 24 
hours, suffered much, was a model soldier, a fond husband, affection- 
ate fother, and a worthy man in all the relations of life. Cut down 
in the prime of life, he died in a noble cause, the defence of 
his country from the invader. 

We reached Tompkinsville on the morning of the 8th, about sun- 
rise. I was then ordered to the right of the town, on the Old Mill 
road, to attack from that point and cut off all retreat from that 
quarter. I proceeded as directed, and drove in the pickets, giving 
the akrm in the enemy's camp. When we came in sight of the 
•enemy, they were forming on horseback, apparently with the inten- 
tion of attacking us, not "dreaming of the reception prepared before 
breakfast for them. I arranged my command to receive them, but 
■only had the opportunity of tiring a few long range guns at them, 
as the well-aimed shell from your howitzers drove them back from 
their position, and I then thought, from their movements, that they 
would retreat on the Burksville road, and I immediately ordered 
Capt. Iluffnjan through the woods upon our right, with two com- 
panies, to intercept them there, but the rapid and well-aimed 
fire frona the Georgians, under Col. Hunt, from one point, and of 
your regiment from another, drove the enemy into such a hasty re- 
treat, that they passed out througli a woodland trail some half mile 
or more, and then foiling into the Burksville road, put their horses 
to their utmost speed. The Texans, so famous for horsemanship, 
started in pursuit, and a portion of the squadron, on faster hoi'ses, 
soon came up with some 75 of the enemy under Major Jordan and 
two lieutenants, trying to cover their hasty retreat. They did not 
surrender to our demand, but fired back at us, wounding Thomas 
Iluffhines. Then commenced a running fight, 75 Yankees against 
about one dozen Texans, and many an invader bit the dust. 
Among the number one lieutenant, one sergeant, and two corporals. 
W^e captured Major Jordan, one lieutenant, one sergeant, and four 
privates. Our casualties were, in tliis running fight, tw'o wounded, 
"viz. : J. Huffman, flesh wound in the thigh, and J. Loose, a 
•sabre cut in the head, severing the outer table of the skull — neither 
•dangerous. The enemy lost 9 killed, 7 captured ; number of wound- 
ed unknown. 

At Bear Wallow, on the 9th, Capt. Huffman's company was de- 
tailed from my command, upon an expedition under Capt. Jack 
Allen. For their movements, I refer you to his report. 

After the bushwhacking from New Market to Lebanon on the 



OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 499 

Slight of the 10th, and aftei- the surrender of Col. Johnson and his 
forces, he having stated that the home guards would fire upon us 
from the houses if we entered the town, you will recollect how no- 
bly the three companies of my battalien at the still hour of the night 
marched through to receive their fire, Lieut, Spears in front, Capt. 
McMillan next, and Capt. Hamilton third ; but the fire came not, 
the women waived their handkerchiefs, and the place was ours, as 
witnessed by the shout that rent the air, and then, without rest, 
having been in saddle 24 hours, how cheerfully we posted off five 
miles in the country, in compliance with the order to burn the 
bridges, which we did, cajoturing the guard. Capt. Huffnfan and 
his company rejoined us at Macksville, the night of tlie 11th, and 
next morning I was ordered forward to .take possession of Harrods- 
burg. The home guards had assembled at this place to drive us 
back, but before we came in sight they had fled precipitately to the 
Kentucky cliffs to reinforce Joshua Bell, who was collecting all the 
home guards at the bridge on the Danville and Lexington road, 
and t^e aforesaid militia general (Bell) was exhorting his assem- 
blage to deeds of heroism and valor, when a party of 65 home guards 
came from. Lancester to reinforce them. They came shouting and 
waving their hats. Bell's pickets fled and reported Morgan com- 
ing with his forces at full gallop. Their heroic leader then an- 
nounced that they could not possibly make a stand there, and every 
man must take care of himself, and they all fled in the direction of 
Lexington, some on horseback, some on foot — (the author of this, 
Mike Chrisman, made several miles on foot and fainted by the way- 
side). The wicked flee when no man pursueth. The excitement 
and dread at Harrodsburg, on the part of the Unionists, was in- 
tense. Strange that any persons in Kentucky could be deluded by 
the lies of Geo. D. Prentice to believe that the Southern people, 
noted for their chivalry, liberality, and sympathy, could be guilty 
of the baseness ascribed to us by those base hirelings of the North. 
But now they have been shown better by actions, which speak louder 
than words. A few words guaranteering respect to persons and 
and property quieted their fears, and all united in preparing us a 
repast. But the ladies — God bless them ! — true and loyal to their 
native South, are bright examples of patriotism and fidelity to our 
country, our instructions, and the liberties vouchsafed to us by the 
struggles of our forefathers. 

From Harrodsburg, per order, I proceeded towards Paris, intend- 
ing to avoid the pickets at Lexington (having only 92 men with me), 
but accidentally coming upon them, I feigned an attack, and cross- 



500 OFFICIAL KEP0RT3 OF BATTLES. 

iuo- several roads, and frightening in their pickets, they reported a 
large rebel force coming in from different roads. The greatest ex- 
citement prevailed, and Avith cannon and huge proclamation, they 
prepared for defence, compeUing every man, of whatever sentiment, 
to take up arms. I did not attack the city with my small force, 
but leaving Lexington to ray right, and passing in by Paynes' depot, 
on the Frankfort road, I halted my company at the residence of 
John Payne, near Georgetown, for dinner. Mrs. P., not knowing 
any better, sent word to her husband in town, that a body of Union 
cavalry were there. He immediately called upon tlie Provost 
Marshal to accompany him home. He could not go, but sends his 
deputy, Alex. Long. Soon another messenger arrived in the person 
of Oliver Gaines, with an order to me to take my foi-ces over to the 
Frankfort road and cut off Morgan's forces, as the rebels were cer- 
tainly coming that Avay. I answered, "all right," and administered 
the oath of secrecy and non-interference to the two messengers, 
with three others that had assembled there by accident. 

I then passed up the iron works road, followed, as I afterwards 
learned, at long distance, by a party of home guards, mounted upon 
such horses as they had been able to pick up on the streets of 
Georgetown, some riding with bridles, and some with halters, but 
when they came in the rear of our little column, they concluded 
discretion the better part of valor, and turned off on another road. 
We passed through the farm of Victor Flournoy, stopping to refresh 
ourselves at the spring of the Rev. R. J. Breckinridge, where the 
ladies came out, and one, whose bright eyes bespoke a Southern 
heart, was very curious to know what party we belonged to. This 
accidental call was construed into an attempt to arrest the doctor, 
and his son, Capt. Will. Breckinridge, whom we had not seen, was 
accused of being accessory. It is not surprising they should judge 
thus, meting by their own measure. The enemy may feel the effect 
of Capt. William's steel upon the field of battle, but they will never 
find a man of his noble Soutliern soul trying to secure his father's 
arrest. Taking tea at my father's, I proceeded on to Kizers' station, 
on the Paris and Covington road, and fired the bridge. The burn- 
ing bridge fired an old shed beneath, which I afterwards learned 
was Mr. K.'s distillery. I regretted the loss of private property, 
but as it did hajipen, better be a distillery than any thing else. I 
here lost seven pickets, through their mistaking the road, and we 
hunted them until day, and, consequently did not destroy the Town- 
send bridge, as I had contemplated. 

We then proceeded towards Georgetown, and while encamped 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 501 

in a woodland neav that place, R. P, Tannehill, of company A, Texas 
squadron, was, by the accidental discharge of a gun, launched into 
eternity. Robert was a brave soldier boy, always ready, devoted 
to the Southern cause, and the main prop of his widowed mother ; 
but we laid our bold soldier boy to rest more than a 1,000 miles from 
his fond mother, who little dreams of the removal of her boy. On 
this, the evening of the 15th, we rejoined yon in Georgetown, and 
by order, arrested Mr. Sam Thompson, the Provost Marshal of that 
place. 

On the lYth instant, near Cynthiana, in accordance with your 
order, I proceeded with my command across to the Millersburg 
pike, arresting the guard at the bridge, driving in the pickets and 
commencing the fight on the side of the town. We drove the 
enemy back from that portion of the town. They soon returned 
in pretty Jarge force, waving their hands. I ordered to cease 
firing, thinking they wished to surrender, but they had taken us for 
home guards, and commenced cursing us for firing on our own 
men. I ordered them to lay down their arms, when they fired and 
ran. We opened a brisk fire, and they dropped their guns for two 
squares down the street. We killed some ten or twelve, wounding 
many, and capturing as many more in town, and when they retreat- 
ed from the town, we pursued on horseback, capturing many more. 
The loss from my battalion was 1 killed in Capt. Hamilton's com- 
pany, 3 badly wounded, viz. : Lieut. R. Speer, of company A, of the 
Texas squadron, Clarke Aldridge, of Capt. Hoffman's company. 
There were two others slightly wounded. Capt. H. is of a brave 
stock, and is an honor to the name. On all other occasions, the 
forces were together, and your report will embrace the whole. 

My command conducted themselves with the bravery that has 
alway characterized them, securing lasting honors to themselves, 
while rendering such efficient service to their country ; and to their 
honor be it said, they have never failed to show kindness to the 
captured and wounded of the enemy, and respect to the rights oi 
others. I think the kindness of your entire command to the 
enemy, when in their power, will be a good example to tliose of 
our enemies who have, throughout the State of Kentucky, busied 
themselves with tyrannizing over and oppressing those who honest- 
ly differ with them in political opinion. Let all those who wish to 
serve their country, join the army, and show to the world they 
are not cowards, and not employ their time in trying, hi a cowardly 
manner, to secure the arrest of those neighbors who differ with 
them in i^olitical seutimAiL 



502 aFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

We are now, on the 29th instant, again at Knoxville, Tenn., 
having returned from one of the most daring and adventurous 
expeditions on record, with a very small loss in numbers, but 
having struck a blow from which the enemy will not soon recover. 

Yours, 

R. M. GANG, 
Major^ commcmclmg Battalio7i Cavalry in 3Iorgan''s ^Brigade. 



Report of Lieut. Harris. 

MoKGAN's Brigade, Cynthiana', Ky,, 
July 18, 1862. 
Capt. Alletox, 

A. A.-gen.y Morgan^ s Legion : 

Sir : — In obedience to special instructions, I hare to report that 
my battei-y entered the engagement of the 17th instant, on the 
Turnpike road, leading to this place, about 300 yards, from the 
bridge, at — o'clock, and commenced shelling the enemy, who Avere 
occupying the latter position, which was kept up under showers of 
musketry, balls, and grape, from the enemy's artillery, for an hour, 
at which time they retired before, a chai-ge of cavalry. By order of 
the General, the pieces were then manned, by band, to the front, 
across the bridge, again coming under galling fire of the enemy's 
sharpshooters,, who occujjied the depot and surrounding buildings, 
about 80 yards distant. 

I regret here to liave to report the inefficiency of my command, for 
a short time, resulting mainly from a want of discipline and drill,, 
which you know I have scarcely had time to produce. XJnder these 
difficulties, however, the firing continued slowly until the enemy 
evacuated his final position. The casualties in this command are as 
follows, viz. : 

Wounded — Cannonier W. B. Shelton, slightly in the head ; can- 
nonier Thomas Shanks, flesh wound in leg. Three horses killed. 

In conclusion, I cannot but mention the gallant conduct of can- 
nonier W. B. Shelton, as setting an emulous example to others., 
who, when having been wounded in the head, and lain senseless for 
ten minutes, on i-eeovering himself, resumed his jwst, where he con- 
tinued throughout the engagement. 

I am, captain, your obedient serA'ant, 

JOS. C. HARRIS, 
First Liei't. commanding ArtiUeri/, 3Iorgan''s Legion^ 



OFFICIAL RErORTS OF BATTLES. ^03 



George Elsworth's Dispatches. 

Knoxville, July 30, 1862. 
Capt. A. R. Alston, 

Sir- On July 10th, Gen. Morgan, with a body-guard of fifteen 
,.en a^d myself, arrived at a point half a mile ^f - ^orse Cave 
on the Louisville and Nashville railroad, where I took down the 
telecvraph line and connected my pocket instrument for the purpose 
of takin- off all dispatches as they passed through. Owmg to a 
heavy stm-m prevaiUng south, the atmospheric electricity prevented 
me f.^m communicating with Bowling Green or Nashville The fiis 
I heard was Louisville calling Bowling Green. I immediately put on 
my ground wire south, and noticed particularly at the same time, 
"hat change it would make in the circuit. It did make itstronge 
but owing to the storm mentioned above, affecting telegraphs more 
or less, Louisville did did not suspicion anything wrong, and I 
answer;d for Bowling Green, when I received the followmg mes- 

^^^^'' Louisville, July 10, 1862. 

To S. D- Broion^ 

. Commanding Bowling Green : c- rr^ ^ 

You and Col. Houghton move together. I fear tlie force of Col. 
Hou'hton is too small to venture to Glasgow. The whole force 
shouTd move together, as the enemy are mounted. We canno 
. venture to leave the road too far, as they may pass around and 
ruin it. J ^ BOYLE, 

Brio".-gen., commanding. 

I returned the usual signal, after receiving the "message, of a K. 

Louisville immediately called Nashville, and I answered foi Na h- 
ville^'ceiving business for two hours. This business was mostly 
Tf a Xte nLre, and I took no copies. It could be plainly seen 
by the lenor of th; messages, that Morgan was in the country, and 
aU orders ?o send money and valuables by railroad were counter- 
11 a theysuppose'l); but little did the operator at Louis- 
X think that all of his work would have to be repeated the next 
day Louisville also sent the newsof the day, and thus all were fur- 
bished with New York and Washington dates of that day. During 
Te whole of the time it was raining heavy. My situation was any 



504 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

thing but an agreeable one — sitting in the mud, with my feet in 
the Water up to my knees. 

At 11 o'clock p. M., the general being satisfied that I had drained 
Louisville of all the news, concluded to close for the night, and he 
verbally gave me the following message to send, dating and signing 
it as below : 

Nashville, July 10, 1862. 
To Henry Den% 

Provost Marshal, Louisville : 

Gen. Forrest, commanding brigade, attacked Murfreesboro', 
routing our forces, and is now moving on Nashville. Morgan is 
reported to be between Scottsville and Gallatin, and will act in 
concert with Forrest, it is believed. Inform general commanding. 

Stanley Matthews. 

Pi'ovost Marshal. 

I am not aware that Gen. Morgan claims to be a prophet, or a 
son of a prophet, but Forrest did attack Murfreesboro', and rout 
the enemy. 

On arriving at Lebanon, July the 12th, I accompanied the ad- 
vance guard into town, and took charge of the telegraj)h office im- 
mediately. This was, as you know, at 3:30 a. m. I adjusted the 
instrument and examined the circuit. No other operator on the 
line appeared to be on hand this early. I then examined all the 
dispatches of the day previous. Among them I found the fol- 
lowing : 

Lebanon, July 11, 1862. 
To General Boyle^ 

Louisville, Ky. : 

I have positive information that there are 400 marauders in 
20 miles of this place, on the old Lexington road, approaching 
Lebanon. Send reinforcements immediately. 

A. Y. Johnson, 
Lieut.-col., commanding. 

At 7:30 A.M. an operator, signing Z, commenced calling B, 
which I had ascertained, by the books in the office, was the signal 
for Lebanon office. I answered the call, when the following con. 
versation between Z and myself ensued : 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 505 

ToB: 

What news ? Any more skirmishing after your last message ? 

Z. 
ToZ: 

No ; we drove what little cavalry there was away. B. 

To B: 
Has the train arrived yet ? Z. 

ToZ: 
No. About how many troops on train ? B. 

ToB: 
Five hundred. Z. 

My curiosity being excited as to what station Z was; and to 
ascertain, without creating any suspicion, I adopted the following 
plan : 

ToZ: 

A gentleman here in the office bets me the cigars you cannot 
spell the name of your station correctly. 

ToB: 

Take the bet. Lebanon Junction. Is this not right ? How did 
he think I would spell it ? 

To Z: 

He gives it up. He thought you would put two b's in Lebanon, 

B. 

ToB: 
Ha ! ha ! He is a green one. Z. 

ToZ: 
Yes ; that's so. S* 

To Z: 

What time did train with soldiers pass? B. 

ToB: 
At 8.30 last night. Z. 



506 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATl'LES. 

ToZ: 
Very singular where the train is. B. 

ToB: 

Yes, it is. Let me know when it arrives. Z. 

At 8.20 Z called me up, and said : 

ToB: 

The train has returned. They had a fight with the rebels at New 
Hope. The commanding officer awaits orders here. Z. 

ToZ: 

Give us the particulars of the fight. Col. Johnson is anxious to 
know all about it. B. 

ToB: 
I will as soon as possible. Z. 

To B: 
Here is Moore's message to Gen. Boyle, Z. 

Lebanon Junction, July 12, 1862. 
To General Boyle, 

Louisville, Ky. : 

At 11 o'clock last night, part of my command encountered a 
force of rebel cavalry posted on the county road, half a mile south 
of the railroad. After a brisk fire of musketry for twenty minutes, 
the enemy was routed, and fled. Skirmishers were sent out in 
different directions, but were unable to find the enemy. At three 
this morning, apprehending that an effort might be made to destroy 
the bridges in our rear, we moved down to New Haven, and re- 
mained until after daylight, when the train went back to the scene 
of the skirmish. 

A Mr. Forman, of Owen county, was found mortally wounded. 
He reported tlie rebel force at 450, under command of Capt. Jack 
Allen, and that they had fallen back towards Greensburg. One 
horse was killed and three captured. The books of the company 
were found. In the field, blood was found at different places, show- 
ing that the enemy was severely punished. No casualties on our 
side. Here, with train, waiting orders. 

O. F. Moore, 

Commanding. 



OFFICIAL KKPOKTS OF BATTLES. 507 

Lebanon Junction being the repeating station for Louisville busi- 
ness, he Ibrwarded the following telegrams, just from Louisville, 9 
A, M. : 

Louisville, July 12, 1862. 
To Col. Johnson^ 

Lebanon : ^ 
Leave good guard and join Col. Owen. Pursue the enemy and 
drive him out. Be cautious and vigorous. Make no delay. 

J. T. Boyle, 
Brig,-gen. commanding. 

Louisville, July 12, 1862. 
To Col. Oioen, 

Lebanon : 
You will move after the enemy and pursue him. 

J. T. Boyle, 
Brig.-gen. commanding. 

You will see by the above message that Col. Owen must have 
been en route for Lebanon. 

Up to the time of our leaving Lebanon, which was about noon, 
Col. Moore, in command of those 500 troops at Lebanon Junction, 
had not received his orders, or I could furnish you with them. This 
I greatly regretted ; but Gen. Morgan, having no fears of "Lin- 
coln's web-footed soldiery," told me I could close my office, and to 
allay all suspicion at not being able to communicate with Lebanon 
during the afternoon, I told the operator at Lebanon junction, as 
follows : 

To Z. : 

I have been up all night, and am very sleepy; if you have no 
objection, I will take a nap until 2 or 3 oclock. B. 

To B.: 

All right, don't oversleep yourself Z. 

"Wonder if I did ! 

Arrived at Midway, on the Lexington and Louisville railroad, 
about 10 A. M, At this place I surprised the operator, who was 
quietly sitting on the platform of the depot, enjoying himself huge- 
ly. Little did he suspicion that Morgan was in his vicinity. 

I asked him to call Lexington, and to ask Lexington the time of 



508 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

day. He did so. I demanded this for the purpose of getting his 
style of handling the key, which corroborated my first impression, 
from the fact that I noticed paper in the instrument. To use a tel- 
egraphic phrase, he was a " plug operator." I adopted his style of 
writing, and commenced operations. 

In this office I found a signal book, which, by the way, became 
very useful. It contained the calls for alJ the offices. Dispatch 
after dispatch was going to and fro from Lexington, Georgetown, 
Paris, and Frankfort. All contained something in reference to 
Morgan. I tested the line, and found by applying ray ground 
wire it made no difference with the circuit, and as Lexington was 
head-quarters, I cut Frankfort off. 

I omitted to state, that on commencing operations at this place, I 
discovered that there were two wires on this railroad. One was 
what we term a through wire, running direct from Lexington to 
Frankfort, and not entering any of the way offices. I found that 
all military business was sent over that wire, and as it did not enter 
Midway office, I ordered it cut, thus forcing Lexington on the wire 
that did run into this office. 

Midway was called and I answered, when I received the fol- 
lowing : 

Lexington, July 15th, 1862. 
To J. W. Woolums, 

Operatoi", Midway: 

Will there be any danger in coming to Midway ? Is every thing 
right ? Taylor, 

Conductor. 

I inquired of my prisoner if he knew a man by the name of Tay- 
lor. He said Taylor was conductor. I immediately gave Taylor 
the following reply : 

Midway, July 15th, 1862. 
To Taylor, 

Lexington : 

All right. Come on. No signs of any rebels here. 

WOOLUMS. 

The operator in Cincinnati then called Frankfort. I answered, 
and received about a dozen of unimportant dispatches. He had no 
sooner finished, Avhen Lexington called Frankfort, and again I 
answered, receiving the following messasre : 



OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 609 

Lexington, July 15th, 1862. 
To Gen. Mjinell, 

Frankfort : 

I wish you to move the forces at Frankfort, on the line of the 
Lexington railroad, immediately, and have the cars follow, and take 
thera up as soon as possible. Further orders will await them at 
Midway. I will, in three or four hours, move forward on the 
Georgetown road. Will have most of my men mounted. Morgan 
left Versailles this morning at 8, with 800 men, on the Midway 
road, moving in the direction of Georgetown. 

Brig.-gen. Ward. 

This being our position and intention exactly, it was thought pro- 
per to throw Gen. Ward on some other track, so in the course of half 
an hour, I manufactured the following dispatch, which was approved 
by Gen. Morgan, and I sent it: 

Midway, July 15, 1862. 
To Brig.-gen. Ward, 

Lexington : 

Morgan, with upwards of one thousand men, came within a mile 
of here, and took the old Frankfort road, bound, as we suppose, for 
Frankfort. This is reliable Woolums, 

Operator. 

In about 10 minutes,. Lexington again called Frankfort, and as I 
was doing the work of two or three offices, I answered the call, and 
received the following : 

Lexington, July 15, 1862. 
To Gen. Flnnell, 

Frankfort : 

Morgan, with more than one thousand men, came within a mile 
of here, and took the old Frankfort road. This dispatch received 
from Midway, and is reliable. The regiment from Frankfort had 
better be recalled. Gen. Ward. 

I receipted for this message, and again manufactured a message 
to confirm the information Gen. Ward had received from Midway, 
and not knowing the tariff from Frankfort to Lexington, I could 
not send a formal message. I waited until the circuit was occupied, 



510 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

and then broke in, appearing greatly excited, and told those using 
the Avire I must have the circuit, and commenced calling Lexington. 
He answered with as much gusto as I called. I telegraphed as fol- 
lows: 

To Lexington : 

Tell Gen. Ward our pickets have just been driven in. Great ex- 
citement. Pickets say the force of the enemy must be 2,000. 

Frankfort. 

It was now 2 p. m., and Gen. Morgan wished to be off for George- 
town. I run a secret ground connection, and opened the circuit on 
the Lexington end. This was done to leave the impression that the 
Frankfort Opei'ator was " skedaddling," or that Morgan's men had 
destroyed the, telegraph. 

"We arrived at Georgetown at sundown. I went to the telegraph 
office ; found it locked ; inquired for the operator ; he was pointed 
out to me. I hailed him and demanded admission into his office. 
He very courteously showed me into his office. I discovered the 
instruments had been removed. I asked wliere they were^ he re- 
plied, that he had sent them to Lexington. I asked him what time 
he had Lexington last. He said 9 o'clock, since that time the line 
had been down. I remarked that it must be an extraordinary line 
to be in working condition token it was doion^ as I heard him send- 
ing messages to Lexington when I was at Midway at 1 , o'clock. 
This was a stunner, he had nothing to say. I immediately tested 
the line by applying the ends of the wire to my tongue, and found 
the line O. K. I said nothing to him, but called for a guard of two 
men to take care of Wm. Smith until I got ready to leave town. 

I did not interrupt the line until after tea, when I put in my own 
instruments, and after listening for an hour or two at the Yankees 
talking, I opened the conversation as follows : signing myself 
Federal Operator, as I had done before successfully at other places. 

To Lexington : 

Keep mum. I am in the office, reading by the sound of my 
magnet in the dark. I crawled in ^hen no one seen me. Morgan's 
men are here, camped on Dr. Ganos' place. Georgetown. 

To Georgetown: 

Keep cool. Don't be discouraged. About how many rebels are 
there ? Lexington. 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 6ll 

To Lexington : 

I don't know. I did not notice, as Morgan's operator was ask- 
ing me about my instruments. I told him I sent them to Lexing- 
ton. He said " damn the luck," and went out. Geokgetown. 

To Georgetown:* 
Be on hand and keep us posted. Lexington 

To Lexington : 
I will do so. Tell Gen. Ward I'll stay up all night if he wishes. 

Geokgetown. 

To Georgetown : 
Mr. Fulton wishes to know if the rebels are there. 

Cincinnati. 

To Cincinnati: 
Yes. Morgan's men are here. Georgetown. 

To Georgetown: , 
How can you be in the office and not be arrested ? 

Cincinnati. 

To Cincinnati: 
Oh ! I am in the dark, and reading by sound of the magnet. 

Georgetown. 

This settled Cincinnati. 

Question after question was asked me about the rebels, and I an- 
swered to suit myself. Things had been going on this way about 
two hours, when Lexington asked me where my assistant was ? I 
replied, " Don't know." He then asked me, have you seen him to- 
day ? I replied, " No," Well, from this time out, no telegraphing 
could I do in the beautiful city of Georgetown. 

Wishing to keep myself busy, and make myself useful, I concluded 
to call on Mr, Smith, the operator, who was under guard in my 
room. I did so. I informed Mr. Smith that I would furnish him 
with a mule in the morning, and I should be pleased to have him ac- 
company me to Dixie, as I understood he was in the employ of the 
United States Government. This was any thing but agreeable to 
the said Smith, 



512 OFFICIAL KEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

It seemed to me I had hit the young man in the right place, and 
I remarked that if he had not sent his instruments to Lexington, I 
would have taken them in preference to his person. His face 
brightened, and an idea struck him very forcibly that he would 
make a proposition. He did so, and it was to furnish me the instru- 
ments, if I would release him. This I agreed tfl, as telegraph in- 
struments are of much more value to the Southern Confederacy than 
Yankee telegraphers. I accompanied Mr. Smith to the servant's 
room, and there, under the bed, in a chest, were the instruments. 
After Mr. Smith giving me his word of honor not to leave town for 
twenty-four hours, he was at liberty to visit his wife and young 
Smiths. 

On arriving at Cynthiana, I found that the operator had " ske- 
daddled." I tested the wires, and found no fluid from either Cincin- 
nati or Lexington, nor were the wires in working condition Avhen I 
left the next day. At Paris the operator had made a clean sweep. 
He left the night before, taking all his instruments. At Crab 
Orchard there was no office, and I put in my pocket magnet. This 
was at 11 A. M,, and the first message I heard was the following: 

LotJisviLLE, July 21. 
To Col. Woolford, 

Danville : 
Pursue Morgan. He is at Crab Orchard, going to Somerset. 

Boyle. 

No sooner had the Danville operator receipted for this, than the 
operator at Lebanon suggested the following : 

To Lebanon Junction : 

Would it not be well for Danville and offices below here to put 
on their ground wires, when they send or receive important mes- 
sages, as George Elsworth, the rebel operator, may be on the line 
between here and Cumberland Gap. 

Lebanon. 

The operator at the Junction agreed with him, and said it would 
be a good idea, but it was not carried into effect. 

Arrived at Somerset that morning, I took charge of the office. I 
ascertained from citizens that the office had been closed for three 
weeks up to the very hour our advance guard arrived in town, and 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 513 

then it was opened by the operator from London, who came to work 
the instrument, for the purpose of catching Morgan, but, unfortun- ' 
ately for Uncle Sam, the operator had no time to either send or re- 
ceive a message. But I am glad to say he had it in fine working 
condition for me. I had been in the office some time, when Stan- 
ford called -Somerset, and said, " I have just returned from Crab 
Orchard,, where I have been to fix the line. The rebels tore it down. 
I left there at 8 o'clock. The 9th Pennsylvania cavalry had not 
then arrived. What time did you get in from London ?" 

Stanford. 

To Stanford: 
" Just ai'rived, and got my office working finely." 

Somerset. 

To Somerset: 

" Any signs of Morgan yet? He left Crab Orchard at 1 ] .30 a. m. 
to-day. 

Stanford. 

To Stanford: 
" No. No signs of him as yet." 

• Somerset. 

To Somerset: 

" For fear they may take you by surprise, I would suggest we 
have a private signal. What say you ?" 

Stanford. 

To Stanford: 
" Good. Before signing, we will make the figure 7." 

Somerset. 

This was mutually agreed upon, 

I asked when would Woolford be at Somerset, and he said Wool- 
ford had telegraphed Boyle that his force was green and insufficient 
to attack Morgan. Seeing there was no use of my losing a night's 
rest, I told Sandford I would retire, and that I had made arrange- 
ments with the pickets to wake me up in case Morgan came in. 
The operator at Lebanon Junction urged me to sit up, but I de- 
clined on the ground of being unwell. This did not satisfy him, 
but after arguing with him for some time I retired. 

33 



514 official eep0rt8 of battles. 

July 22. 
Opened office at 1 o'clock. Informed Stanford operator that 
Morgan had not yet arrived. Made inquiries about different things, 
and after every thing in town belonging to the United States gov- 
ernment was destroyed, the general gave me the following messages 
to send: 



Somerset, July 22. 
To George D. Prentice^ 

Louisville : 
Good morning, George D. I am quietly watching the complete 
destruction of all of Uncle Sam's property in this little burg. I re- 
gret exceedingly that this is the last that comes under my supervis- 
ion on this route. I expect in a short time to pay you a visit, and 
wish to know if you will be at home. All well in Dixie. 

John H. Morgan, 

Commanding brigade. 

Somerset, July 22. 
Gen. J. T. Boyle, 

Louisville : 
Good morning, Jerry. This telegraph is a great institution. 
You should destroy it, as it keeps me too well posted. My friend 
Elsworth has all of your dispatches since the 10th of July on file. 
Do you wish copies ? 

Joan H. Morgan, 

Commanding brigade. 

Hon. George Dunlop, 

Washington, D. C. : 
Just completed my tour through Kentucky ; captured 16 cities ; 
destroyed millions of dollars worth of United States property ; 
passed through your country, but regret not seeing you. We 
paroUed 1,500 Federal prisoners. 

Your old friend, 

John H. Morgan, 

Commanding brigade. 

The following is an order I issued to all operators while at George- 
town : 



official reports of battles. 515 

Head-quarters Telegraph Department of Kentucky, 

Confederate States op America, 

Georgetown July 16, 1862. 
General Order, No. 1. 

When an operator is positively informed that the enemy is 
marching on his station, he will immediately proceed to destroy the 
telegraph instruments and all materials in his charge. Such instan- 
ces of carelessness as exhibited on the part of the operators at Leba- 
non, Midway, and Georgetown, will be severely dealt with. 

By order of G. A. Elsworth, 

General Military Superintendant C. S. Telegraph Department. 

The above report contains but a few of the dispatches I received 
and sent during Gen. Morgan's late expedition through Kentucky. 
Those of the greatest interest and importance are respectfully sub- 
mitted. 

I remain, your obedient servant, 

George A. Elsworth, 

3forgan?s telegrapher. 



REPORT OF OPERATIONS ON THE PENINSULA. 

major-gen. J. B. magruder, commanding. 



Head-quarters Department Peninsula, 
Lee's Farm, May 3, 1862. 

Gen. S. Cooper, 

A. and I. G., C.S.A.: 

General : — Deeming it of vital importance to hold YorktowTi, 
on York river, and Mulberry Island, on James river, and to keep 
the enemy in check by an intervening line, until the authorities 
might take such steps as should be deemed necessary to meet a 
serious advance of the enemy in the Peninsula, I felt compelled to 
dispose my forces in such a manner as to accomplish these objects 
with the least risk possible, under the circumstances of great hazard 
which surrounded the little army I commanded. 

I had prepared, as my real line of defence, positions in advance 



516 OFFICIAL RFrOETS OF BATTLES. 

at Harwood's and Young's Mills. Both flanks of this line were de- 
fended by boggy and difficult streams and swamps. 

In addition, the left flank was defended by elaborate fortification 
at Ship Point, connected by a broken line of redoubts crossing the 
heads of the various raviftes emptying into York river and Worm- 
ley's creek and terminating at Fort Grafton, nearly in front of York- 
town. The right flank was defended by^he fortifications at the 
mouth of Warwick river, and at Mulberry Island Point, and the 
redoubts extending from the Warwick to the James river. 

Intervening between the two lines was a wooded country, about 
two miles in extent. This wooded line, forming the centre, needed 
the defence of infantry, in a sufficient force to prevent any attempt 
on the part of the enemy to break through it. 

In my opinion, this advanced line, with its flank defences, might 
have been held by twenty thousand troops. With twenty-five thou- 
sand, I do not believe it could have been broken by any force the 
enemy could have brought against it. Its two flanks were protect- 
ed by the " Virginia" and the works on one side, and the fortifica- 
tions at Yorktown and Gloucester Point on the other. 

Finding my forces too weak to attempt the defence of this line, I 
was compelled to prepare to receive the enemy, on a second line, 
on Warwick river. This line was incomplete in its preparations, 
owing to the fact that a thousand negro laborers, whom I had 
engaged in fortifying, were taken from me and discharged, by 
superior orders, in December last ; and a delay of nine weeks con- 
sequently occurred, before I could reorganize the laborers for the 
engineers. 

Keeping, then, only small bodies of troops at Harwood's aad 
Young's Mills, and at Ship Point, I distributed my remaining forces 
along the Warwick line, embracing a front from Yorktown to 
Minor's farm, of twelve miles, and from the latter place to Mul- 
berry Island Point, one and a half miles. I was compelled to place 
in Gloucester Point, Yorktown, and Mulberry Island, fixed gar- 
risons, amounting to six thousand men, my whole force being 
.eleven thousand. So -that it will be seen that the balance of the 
line, embracing a length of thirteen miles, was defended by about 
five thousand men. 

After the reconnoissances in great force from Fortress Monroe 
and Newport News, the enemy on the 3d April, advanced and took 
possession of Harwood's Mill. He adv,anced in two heavy columns, 
one along the Old York road, and the other along the Warwick 
road, and on the 5th of Ajjril, appeared simultaneously along Ijie 



OFFICIAL BEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 617 

■whole front of our line from Minor's farm to Yorktown. 1 have no 
accurate data, upon which to base an exact statement of his force, 
but from various sources of information, I was satisfied that I had 
Lefore me tlie enemy's array of the Potomac, under tlie command 
of Gen. McClellan, with the exception of the two corps cVarmee 
of Banks and McDowell, respectively. Forming an aggregate 
number of certainly not less than one hundred tliousand, since 
ascertained to have been one hundred and twenty thousand 
men. 

On every portion of my lines, he attacked us with a furious can- 
nonading and musketry, which was responded to with efiect, by our 
batteries and troops of the line. Ilis skirmishers were also weU 
thrown forward on this and the succeeding day, and energetically 
felt our whole line, but were everywhere repulsed by the steadiness 
of our troops. Thus, with five thousand men, exclusive of the gar- 
risons, we stopped and held in check over one hundred thousand 
of the enemy. Every preparation was made in anticipation of 
another attack by the enemy. The men slept in the trenches and 
under arms, but to ray utter surprise, he permitted day after day 
to elapse without an assault. 

In a few days, the object of his delay was apparent. ^ In every 
direction, in front of our lines, through the intervening woods, and 
along the open fields, earthworks began to appear. Through the 
energetic action of the government, reinforcements began to pour 
in, and, each hour, the army of the Peninsula grew stronger and 
stronger, until anxiety passed from my mind as to the result of an 
attack upon us. 

The enemy's skirmishers pressing us closely in front of Yorktown, 
Brig.-gen. Early ordered a sortie to be made from the redoubts for 
the purpose of dislodging him from Palmentary's peach orchard. 
This was effected in the most gallant manner by the 2d Florida, 
Col. Ward, and 2d Mississippi battahon, Lieut.-col, Taylor, all under 
the command of Col. Ward. The quick and reckless charge of our 
men, by throwing the enemy into a hasty flight, enabled us to effect, 
-with little loss, an enterprise of great hazard against a superior 
force, supported by artillery, when the least wavering or hesitation, 
on our part, would have been attended with great loss. 

The Warwick line, upon which w^e rested, may be briefly described 
as follows : 

Warwick river rises very near York river, and about a mile and 
a half to the right of Yorktown. Yorktown and redoubts Nos. 4 
and 5, united by long curtains, and flanked by rifle-pits from the 



518 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

left of the line, until at the commencement of the military road it 
reaches Warwick river — here a sluggish and boggy stream, twenty 
or thirty yards wide, and running through a dense wood fringed by 
swamps. 

Along this river are five dams, one at Wynne's mill, and one at 
Lee's mill, and three constructed by myself. The effect of these 
dams is to back up the water along the course of the river, so that 
nearly three-fourths of its distance its passage is impracticable for 
either artillery or infantry. Each of these dams is protected by 
artillery and extensive earthworks for infantry. 

After eleven days of examination, the enemy seems very properly 
to have arrived at the conclusion that Dam No. 1, the centre of our 
line, .was the weakest point in it, and hence on the 16th April he 
made what seems to have been a serious effort to break through at 
that point. 

Early on that morning he opened, at that dam, a most furious at- 
tack of artillery, filhng the woods with shells, while his sharpshooters 
pressed forward close to our lines. 

From 9 a. m. to 12 m., six pieces were kept in constant fire against 
us, and by 3 p. m. nearly three batteries were directing a perfect 
storm of shot and shell on our exposed position. We had only 
three pieces in position at that point, but two of them could not be 
used with effect, and were rarely fired, so that we were constrained 
to reply with only one 6-pounder, of the Troupe Artillery, Cobb's 
Georgia legion, Capt. Stanley, under the particular charge of Lieut. 
Pope. 

This piece was served with the greatest accuracy and effect, and 
by the coolness and skill with which it was handled, the great odds 
against us w^ere almost counterbalanced. 

By 3.30 p. M., the intensity of the cannonading increasing, heavy 
masses of infantry commenced to deploy in our front, and a heavy 
musketry fire was opened upon us. Under the cover of this con- 
tinuous stream of fire, an effort was made by the enemy to throw 
forces over the stream and storm our 6-pounder battery, wliich was 
inflicting such damage upon them. 

This charge was very rapid and vigorous, and before our men 
were prepared to receive it, several companies of a Yei'mont regi- 
ment succeeded in getting across and occupying the rifle-pits of the 
15th N, C. volunteers, who were some hundred yards to the rear, 
throwing up a work for the protection of their camp. 

This regiment immediately sprang to arms, and engaged the 
enemy with spirit, under the lead of their brave but unfortunate 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 519 

commander, McKinney, and, aided by the 16th Georgia regiment, 
rei^ulsed the enemy ; but when the gallant McKinney fell, a tempo- 
rary confusion ensued, which was increased by an unauthorized 
order to fall back. The enemy renewed the attack with great 
force. 

At this moment, the Vth and 8th Georgia, under command oi 
Cols. Wilson and Lamar, respectively, the left of the 16th Georgia, 
under command of Col. Goode Bryan, and the two companies of 
Capts. Martin and Burke, of the 2d Louisiana, under Col. Norwood, 
accompanied by th^ 15th North Carolina, with fixed bayonets and 
the steadiness of veterans, charged the rifle-pits and drove the 
enemy from them wjth great slaughter. 

Col. Anderson, commanding his brigade, and the commanding 
officers of the troops above mentioned, deserve great praise for the 
promptness with which they rushed to the conflict and repelled this 
serious attempt of the enemy. 

Subsequently, the enemy massed heavier bodies of troops, and 
again approached the stream. It was evident that a most serious 
and en^-getic attack, in large force, was being made to break our 
centre, under, it is believed, the immediate eye of McClellan him- 
self; but Brig.-gen. Howell Cobb, who was in command at that 
point, forming the 2d Louisiana, 7th and 8th Georgia, of Col. An- 
derson's brigade, the 15th North Carolina, 14th Georgia, and Cobb's 
legion in line of battle on our front, received the attack with great 
firmness, and the enemy recoiled, with loss, from the steady fire of 
our troops, before reaching the middle of the water. 

Brig.-gen. McLaws, commanding the 2d division, of which Cobb's 
command formed"a part, hearing the serious firing, hastened to the 
scene of action, and exhibited great coolness and judgment" in his 
arrangements. The 10th Louisiana, 15th Virginia, a part of the 
iVth Mississippi, and the 11th Alabama, were ordered up as reserves, 
and were placed in position, the 10th Louisiana marching to its 
place with the accuracy of a parade drill. The other regiments 
were assigned positions out of the range of fire. 

In addition. Gen. McLaws placed the whole of his division under 
arms, ready to move as circumstances might require. 

Col. Anderson had led two of his regiments, the 7th and 8th 
Georgia, into action, and held two others in reserve, while Brig.- 
gen. Toombs advanced with his own brigade, under the immediate 
command of Brig.-gen. Semmes, close to the scene of action, and 
by ray order (having just arrived), placed two regiments of this 
brigade in action, retaining the rest as reserves. 



520 OFFICIAT. REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

These dispositions rendered our position perfectly secure, and tbe 
enemy suffering from his two repulses, darkness put an end to the 
contest. 

The dispositions of Gen. McLaws were skilfully made. His whole 
hearing and conduct is deserving of the highest commendation. I 
cannot designate all the many gallant officers and privates who dis- 
tinguished themselves, and respectfully call the attention of the com- 
manding general to the accompanying reports ; but I would fail to 
do my duty, if I did not specially mention some particular instances. 
Brig.-gen. Cobb, commanding at this point, exhibited throughout 
the day the greatest courage and skill, and when once, at a critical 
moment, some troops in his line of battle wavered, he, in person, 
rallied the troops under a terrible fire, and by his voice and example, 
entirely re-established their steadiness. 

Brig.-gen. Toombs had in the morning, by my order, detached 
from this division Col. Anderson's brigade, to support Brig.-gen. 
Cobb, and late in the evening, when ordered forward by me, 
promptly and energetically led the remainder of his command under 
fire, arriving just before the enemy ceased the vigor of his attack, 
and in time to share its dangers. 

Brig.-gen. P. J, Semmes commanded Toombs' brigade, the latter 
being in command of the division, and showed his usual promptness 
and courage. 

Col. Levy, of 2d Louisiana regiment, was the colonel commanding 
at Dam No. 1, and evinced judgment, courage, and high soldierly 
qualities, in liis conduct and arrangements, which I desire specially 
to commend. 

Capt. Stanley was in command of two pieces of artillery, including 
the 6-pounder, so effectively served. Both he and Lieut. Pope con- 
ducted themselves with skill and courage. 

Capt. Jordan's piece was in a very exposed place, and was soon 
disabled after a few rounds, and was promptly withdrawn. Both 
lie and his men exhibited great steadiness, under the terrible fire 
which swept over them. 

Tlie enemy's loss, of course, cannot be accurately estimated, as 
the greater part of it occurred over on their side of the stream, but 
I think it could have scarcely been less than six hundred killed and 
wounded. 

Our loss was comparatively trivial, owing to the earthworks, 
which covered our men, and did not exceed seventy-five in killed 
and wounded. 

All tlie reinforcements which were on th.eir way to me had not 



OFFICIAL Ki:roKTS OF BATri.ES. 521 

yet joined, me, so that I was unable to follow up the action of the 
16th of April by any decisive step. 

The reinforcements were accompanied by officers who ranked 
me, and I ceased to command. 

I cannot too highly commend the conduct of the officers and men 
of ray whole command, who cheerfully submitted to the greatest 
hardships and deprivations. From the 4th of April to the 3d of 
May, this army served almost without relief in the trenches. 

Many companies of artillery were never relieved during this long 
period. It rained almost incessantly. The trenches were filled with 
water ; the weather was exceedingly cold ; no fires could be al- 
lowed ; the artillery and infantry of the enemy played upon our 
men almost continuously day and night ; the army had neither cof- 
fee, sugar, nor hard bread, but subsisted on flour and salt meat, and 
that in reduced quantities ; and yet no murmurs were heard. Their 
gallant commanders of the army of the Potomac, and the Depart- 
ment of Norfolk, though not so long a time exposed to these suflfer- 
ings, shared these hardships and dangers with equal firmness and 
cheerfulness. I have never seen, and I do not believe that there 
ever has existed, an army (the combined army of the Potomac, 
Peninsula, and Norfolk) which has shown itself, for so long a time, 
so superior to all hardships and dangers. 

The best drilled regulars the world has ever seen, would have 
mutinied under a continued service in the trenches for twenty-nine 
days, exposed every moment to musketry and shells, in water to 
their knees, without fire, sugar, or coffise, without stimulants, and 
with an inadequate supply of cooked flour and salt meats. I speak 
of this in honor of those brave men, whose patriotism made them 
indifierent to suflfering, to disease, to danger, and death. Indeed, 
the conduct of the officers and men was such as to deserve through- 
out the highest commendation. 

I beg leave to invite the attention of the department to the re- 
ports which accompany this, and to commend the officers and men 
there named to the most favorable consideration of the Government. 

I cannot close this report without publicly bearing testimony to 
the great and devoted services of the cavalry of the Peninsula, so 
long under my command, always in the presence of superior forces 
of the enemy. I owe much of the success, w^hich attended my ef- 
forts to keep them within the walls of their fortresses, to the alacrity, 
daring, vigilance, and constancy of the 3d Virginia cavalry, and 
the independent companies from James City, Matthews, Gloucestefj 
and King and Queen counties. ' 



522 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

The services rendered by the officers of my staff have been in- 
valuable. To these I owe my acknowledgments : Capts. Brayn and 
Dickinson, of the adjutant-general's department ; Majors Magruder 
and Brent, of the commissary and ordnance departments respec- 
tively ; Capt. White, acting chief quarter-master ; Col. Cabell, chief 
of artillery ; Lieut.-col. Cary, acting inspector-general ; Lieut. Dou- 
glas, of the engineers ; Lieuts. Eustis and Alston, aids-de-camp ; 
Dr. George W. Milden, acting staff officer ; Mr. J. R. Bryan, Mr. 
H. M. Stanard, Mr. D. T. Brashear, and Mr. Henry A. Doyce, who, 
as volunteer aids, have rendered most important services, and to 
private E. P. Turner, of the New Kent cavalry, on duty sometimes 
in the field, at others in the assistant adjutant-general's office. 

My thanks are due to Lieut.-col. Ball, of the Virginia cavalry, 
who for several weeks during the siege acted as a volunteer aid. 
His conduct on the 5th, in my immediate presence, and under a 
severe fire of the enemy, was very gallant, and worthy of the high 
reputation which he won at Manassas. 

I am also greatly indebted to Major George IsTeay, of the 115th 
Virginia militia, who has aided me in the administration, civil as 
well as military, of the affairs of the Peninsula, and to Lieuts. Jo- 
seph Phillips and Causey, of the Confederate army. The 'local 
knowledge of these officers has been of great advantage to the ser- 
vice, whilst their intrepidity and enterprise have been in the highest 
degree conspicuous on every occasion. 

I cannot express too strongly my estimate of the services ren- 
dered by my chief quarter-master. Major Bloomfield, Soon after 
he took charge, he introduced order, promptness, and economy, in 
the management of his department. 

The scarcity of supplies and materials was so great as to make it 
almost impossible to procure them. 

The genius, energy, and extraordinary industry of Major Bloom- 
field, however, overcame all obstacles, and enabled the army of the 
Peninsula to move, to march, and to fight, with the regularity of a 
machine. 

This statement is made injustice to Major Bloomfield, who is ab- 
sent, on account of sickness, at the time that I write. 

I ask the attention, also, of the Government to the valuable ser- 
vices rendered by Mr. Wm. Morris, of Baltimore, the signal officer, 
in charge of the signal service of the Peninsula, and to those of his 
efficient assistant, Lieut. Lindsay, of the 15th Virginia regiment. 

It is but just to Col. Charles A. Crump, that I should bear testi- 
mony to the zeal, gallantry, and decided ability with which he per- 



OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 623 

formed the various duties of commander of the post at Gloucester 
Poiut, during the year in which he was under my command. He 
was worthily supported, on all occasions, by Lieut.-col. P. R. Page, 
and the other officers and men constituting his force. 

That accomplished officer, Capt. Thomas Jefferson Page, of the 
navy, successfully applied the resources of his genius and ripe expe- 
rience to the defence of Gloucester Point, whilst the important 
work opposite was commanded with devoted zeal and gallantry by 
Brig.-gen. Rains. 

My thanks are due to Capt. Chatard, of the navy, for valuable 
services as inspector of batteries, and to Lieut.-col. Noland, late of 
the navy, the efficient commander of the batteries at Mulberry 
Island Point. 

That patriotic and scientific soldier, Col. B. S. Ewell, rendered 
important' services to the country during my occupation of the Pen- 
insula, as did Col. Hill Carter, the commander at Jamestown, and 
his successor. Major J. R. C. Lewis. 

I should fail in my duty to the country, and especially to the 
State of Virginia, if I neglected to record the self-sacrificing conduct 
of Capt. Wm. Allen, of the artillery. 

At the very commencement of the war, this gentleman erected, 
at his own expense, on Jamestown Island, extensive fortifications 
for the defefice of the river, and from that time until he was driven 
from his home, he continued to apj^ly the resources of his large es- 
tate to the benefit of his country. And so great and disinterested 
were his zeal and devotion as an officer, that he lost almost the 
whole of his immense j^ossessions in endeavoring to remove the 
public property committed to his charge, and that of the command- 
ing officers. I cannot commend his conduct as an officer too highly 
to the government, nor his patriotism as a citizen too warmly to 
the love and respect of his countrymen. 

To Capt. Rives, Capt. St. John, Capt. Clark, and Capt. Dimmock 
of the Engineers, and their able assistants, the country is greatly 
indebted for the formidable works which enabled me to meet and 
repulse with a very small force the attack of an army of over one 
hundred thousand well-drilled men, commanded by the best officers 
in the service of the enemy. 

The steadiness and heroism of the officers and men of the artil- 
lery of the Penmsula, both heavy and light, were very conspicuous 
during the attack on the 5th April, and throughout the siege which 
followed. The high state of efficiency of this arm of the service 
was mainly due to Col. George W. Randolph, chief of artillery on 



524 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

my staff, who applied to its organization, discipline, and preparation 
for the field, the resources of his great genius and experience. 

To this intrepid officer and distinguished citizen, the country is 
indebted for the most valuable services, from the battle of Bethel, 
where his artillery principally contributed to the success of the day, 
to the period when he was removed from my command by promo- 
tion. He was ably assisted by Lieut.-cols, Cabell and Brown," of 
the same corps. The medical officers deserve the highest commend- 
ation for the skill and devotion with which they performed their 
duty in this sickly country. 

To Capt. Ben Harrison, and Lieut. Hill Carter, Jr., and their ad- 
mirable troop, the Charles City cavalry, I am also indebted for 
meritorious services under my own eye on numerous occasions. 
I have the honor to be. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant. 
J. BANKHEAD MAGRUDER, 

3Iajor-ge7ieral. 



Report of Brig.-gen. McLaws, commanding Division. 

Head-quarters 2d Division, 
Right Flank Lee's Farm, April 30, 1862. 

To Capt. A. G. Dickinson, 

Assistant Adjutant-general : 
On the 16th inst., between 2 and 3 p. m., my attention was at- 
tracted by an increase in the intensity of fire which had been heard 
during the morning, from the direction of Dam No. 1. Thinking 
that perhaps a real attack was intended at that point, I ordered for- 
ward the 10th Louisiana, loth Virginia, and four companies of the 
1 7th Mississippi, and rode towards the dam, ordering up on my way 
the 11th Alabama, also, to act as reserve to Dam No. 2, and direct- 
ed my whole command, artillery, infantry, and dragoons, to be under 
arms, and ready to obey any order at once. I then joined Gen. 
Cobb. The firing at this time, from both cannon and small arms, 
was very heavy and constant, convincing me that the attack was in- 
tended as a real one, and I became exceedingly anxious for the re- 
serves to come forward, for Gen. Kershaw's brigade, of the 3d, 4th, 
7th, and 8th S. C, were in position some four and a half miles on 



OFFICIAL EEP0KT8 OF BATTLES. 525 

my right, down the Peninsula, and should the line be broken at this 
point of attack by a large body of the enemy, that position would 
be a critical one, and Lee's farm have to be abandoned, unless a con- 
siderable force of our troops were on hand to oppose them. I heard 
from Gen. Cobb that Gen. G. T. Anderson's brigade had been or- 
dered to his support by Gen. Magruder, and sent otf by Lieut. 
Stanard, who offered his services to bring it forward, and sent others 
to hasten those regiments I had previously ordered up. 

A body of the enemy succeeded in crossing the pond below the 
dam, and were in our lower rifle-pits. Col. McKinney, of the 15th 
North Carolina, was killed while gallantly leading his regiment to 
repuls ethem. His death, and the sudden dash of the enemy, created 
some confusion, which was, however, promptly corrected by Gen, 
Cobb, who, riding in among the men, they recognized his voice and 
person, and promptly retook their positions. Col. Anderson's bri- 
gade, at this time came forward most opportunely, and the 1th. 
Georgia, Col. Wilson, followed by the 8th, Col. L. M. Lamar, charg- 
ing the enemy with the bayonet, and assisted by the 5th Louisiana 
and others, drove them back across the pond, killing a large number. 
A few minutes after this, one of the artillery i^ieces was reported as 
disabled, and I ordered up a section of Capt. Palmer's battery, 
which was in reserve on Lee's farm, and Capt. Thos, Jeff. Page, oi 
the Magruder Light Artillery, being near me, offered his battery, 
and I directed him to bring it. Soon after this, the regiments I had 
ordered forward came rapidly up. The 10th Louisiana, Col. Marig- 
ny, was ordered to the main point of attack, and the others halted 
within a few hundred yards. Capt. Page's and Capt. Palmer's bat- 
teries came dashing forward at full speed, and I felt my position secure. 
The firing ceased as night came on, and the assault was not renewed. 

I refer you to the reports of Gen. Cobb, and of Cols. Levy, Bryan, 
T. R. R. Cobb, Lamar, and Wilson, and of Capt. Stanley, of the 
Troupe Artillery, Cobb's legion, accompanying this, for further par- 
ticulars, and for their notice of individual merit. In the death of 
Col. McKinney, the service has lost one who was pure in all his 
thoughts and just in all his acts. A brave and skilful ofiicer, who, 
in his death, as in his life, reflected honor upon both his native and 
his adopted State, and illustrated the Christian gentleman. 

Major James M. Goggin, A. A. and Inspector-general, Major A. 
H. McLaws, Dr. Master, Capt. Mcintosh, A. A.-general, and Lieut. 
Tucker, aid-de-camp, were with me, and were of signal service. 

Very respectfully, T. McLAWS, , 

brigadier-general commmiding. 



526 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 



Report of Colonel William M. Levy. 

Caiip of 2nd Louisiana Regiment Vols., 

Dam No. 1, April 18th, 1862. 
To Capt. James Bann, 

Assistant Adjutant- general brigade : 

Sir : — On the 1 6th instant, at about 8 o'clock a. m., the enemy 
appeared in considerable force in the woods, and rear portion of 
Gannon's field, opposite the position occupied by the 2d Louisiana 
regiment. In a few minutes, two pieces of artillery were put in 
position, and opened a fire of shell upon us. This was brisldy re- 
plied to by the 6-pounder field-piece of the Troupe artillery, belong- 
ing to Col. Cobb's Georgia Legion, and by a few shots from the 
12-pounder howitzer (Capt. Jordan's battery). During the morn- 
ing, and up to about 3 o'clock, sharp artillery firing was kept up on 
both sides, and the infantry were engaged in skirmishing at pretty 
long range. 

A little after 3 o'clock, the enemy brought up more artillery, and 
displayed 6 pieces (2 rifled Parrot) and opened a furious cannonade, 
which they kept up with scarcely the slightest intermission for 
three hours. While showering their shell upon us, a bold rush was 
made across the river, or creek, by a considerable body of the 
enemy's infantry, who suddenly dashed through the water, and, un- 
der cover of the woods, reached the rifle-pits, in front of the 
position of the 15th North Carolina regiment. This regiment, 
with the exception of its picket, was at work intrenching its camp ; 
and while leading his men to charge the enemy, Col. McKinney 
fell and died instantly, gallantly pressing forward at the head of his 
command. The unfortunate death of Col. McKinney threw the 
15 th into momentary confusion, and the enemy was then at the 
rifle-pits, and about to cross them. At this time, companies B, 
(Capt. A. H. Martin), and D, (Capt. R. E. Burke), of the 2d 
Louisiana regiment, under the direction of Major Norwood, of that 
regiment, threw themselves from their position at the redoubt and 
curtain at the crest of the hill, and attacked the enemy along the 
left of the rifle-pits, while the 7th Georgia vigorously attacked them 
along the rest of the line, and the 8th Georgia came up on the 
right of the 7th Georgia. Company I, (Capt. Flournoy,) and com- 
pany K, (Capt Kelso,) 2d Louisiana regiment, stationed at the 
lower redoubt (near Dam No. 1), opened fire upon the enemy from 
their position, at the redoubt. The rapid and vigorous attack of 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 527 

our troops at once checked the enemy, and in a few minutes they 
precipitately retreated, recrossed the creek, and sought shelter 
from the havoc which pursued them, under cover of their field- 
pieces. 

Shortly afterwards, the movements of the enemy showed that, 
with a larger force, they intended to renew their effort to break 
our lines ; and, with a largely increased force, they again at- 
tempted to cross, but were speedily repulsed, retreating in dis- 
order, I have no means of ascertaining the number of killed and 
wounded on the part of the enemy, but from the bodies left on this 
side, and the removal, from the field on the other side, of bodies, I 
ani certain it must have amounted to at least two hundred. 

I cannot refrain from mentioning, that as falling under my im- 
mediate observation, while the conduct of all our troops was most 
satisfactory, the 7th Georgia regiment, the section of the Troupe 
Aj-tillery, (Capt. Stanley), and the companies of the 2d Louisiana 
regiment, which I have enumerated, manifested the most praise- 
worthy alacrity and intrepidity. 

After this second repulse, the enemy retired their infantry from 
the field, and night coming on, the contest ceased, leaving us in full 
possession of our position, from which we had not moved except to 
drive back and pursue the enemy, and in the enjoyment of the 
pleasing knowledge that we had repulsed a foe largely exceeding us 
in numbers. 

I have the honor to remain, sir, 
Very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

WM. M. LEVY, 
Col. comd'g 2d La. regiment and Dam No. 1. 



Report of Col. Goode Bryan. 

Bivouac Sallie Ferigg's, 

16th Georgia Reg't, 

April 19, 1862. 
Capt. John A. Cobb, 

A. A.-general: 
Sir :— I have the honor to report that on the morning of the 
16th, under orders fi-om head-quarters 2d brigade, company D, 
(Capt. Montgomery,) of this regiment, was sent to rifle-pits of 15th 



628 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

North Carolina regiment to act as sharpshooters, and protect a 
working party of that regiment. About half past three o'clock, 
heavy tiring being heard in that direction, the 16th Georgia regi- 
ment advanced and took position in the trenches, on the right of 
the battery opposite Dam No. 1, at which point a considerable 
force of the enemy had crossed and occupied our rifle-pits. They 
were soon driven back across this by the 15th North Carolina, 7th 
Georgia, and a portion of the 16th Georgia regiments, stationed 
near the dam. A heavy fire was kept up by the North Carolina 
7th and 16th Georgia regiments until dark, at which time the 
enenly retired. I cannot close this report without an expression of 
great gratification in the coolness and gallantry displayed by both 
officers and men of my command dxiring the engagement, and par- 
ticular mention should be made of Capt. Montgomery, of company 
D. Being down from the rifle-pits with only three of his men (the 
others being deployed as skirmishers), he gave warning to the 15th 
North Carolina of the advance of the enemy, and joining that regi- 
ment with the few men of his company that could be collected, 
charged with that command and drove the enemy from their pits. 
I am, sir, your obedient servant, 

GOODE BRYAN, 
Col. \Qth Georgia regiment. 



Report of Iiieut.-col. Ihue. 

Head-quarters 15th Reg't N. C. V., 

Near Lee's Farm, 

April 19, 1862. 
John A. Cobb, 

A. A.-general : 
I hereby transmit a report of the action of the 15th North Caro- 
lina volunteers, in the engagement of the 16th instant, near Dam 
No. 1, on Warwick creek. 

On the morning of the 16th, cannonading along the line towards 
Wynn's Mill, and also some of the enemy's guns being brought to 
bear upon our batteries at Dam No. 1, and as the day progressed 
other indications of an attack by the enemy upon our line, induced 
Col. McKinney to call the regiment into line on the military road 
running in front of where the regiment was lying. 

About 10 o'clock a. m., calling in a working party of a hundred 
men, and keeping the regiment in this state of readiness for two 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 529 

hours or more, be ordered the arms stacked, and had the whole 
regiment detailed for work upon a heavy intreuchmeut, which he» 
had been ordered to have erected in front of the encampment, and 
about two hundred yards in the rear of the rifle-pits skirting the 
water thrown back by Dam No. 1, making arrangements for carr}^ 
ing on the work the whole of the ensuing night. Our pickets were 
in front of the rifle-pits, close along the. water's edge. From the 
oest information I have, at the point where the enemy charged, the 
depth of the water was about four feet, and its width from one hun- 
dred and fifty to two hundred yards, and covered with heavy tim- 
ber and thick undergrowth. 

About three o'clock p. m., the regiment being engaged upon the 
works alluded to, the pickets gave the alarm that the enemy were 
charging rapidly across the water and making to our rifle-pits. The 
regiment Avas immediately thrown in line of battle, and being 
ordered by Col. McKinney, advanced at a double-quick and with a 
yell upon the enemy, who had taken partial shelter tphind the 
earth thrown from our pits before the regiment could reach them, 
and opened a terrible fire upon us as we advanced. Their fire was 
returned with promptness and with deadly effect upon the enemy. 
Volley after volley in rapid succession immediately followed from 
both sides, amidst which Col. McKinney gallantly fell, in the early 
part of the engagement, shot through the forehead. He fell near 
tKe centre of the line, and his death was not known to either ofiicers 
or men for some time after it occurred, and a deadly fire was kept 
up by both sides till about five o'clock p. m. 

Not knowing the strength of the enemy at the commencement of 
the engagement, Col. McKinney disijatched an orderly to Brig.- 
gen. Cobb for reinforcements, and after having been engaged in 
close conflict, the enemy having given way on our right, the Yth 
Georgia regiment, under Col. Wilson, came to our assistance, and 
at this moment the enemy gave way in precipitate retreat, and did 
not again rally at any jDoint on our line. 

The regiment had about five hundred men engaged. I have no 
means of definitely ascertaining the force of the enemy, but it must 
have been superior to ours. Prisoners report that they belonged to 
the 3d Vermont regiment, commanded by Col. Hyde. We cap- 
tured eight of them. The number of killed of the enemy, in front 
of where the regiment was engaged, has been ascertained to be 
thirty. How many fell in the water is not known. Our loss in 
killed is as follows : 

Col. R. M. McKinney. 

34 



530 OFFICIAL EEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

Privates Wm. Yandles, of company B, Joseph Tonery and Wm. 
J'inch, of company D, and Francis Gilbert, of company F ; sergeant 
H, M. Clendeuin, and privates Elmsley Steel and Hardy Wood, of 
company H, private J, H. Parker, of company I, private Wm. Boon, 
of company K, and privates J. S. Foushee and M. H. Bennett, of 
company K, making in all twelve men. 

The wounded are as follows : 

Capt. Samuel T. Stancell, of company A, sergeant A, V. Helms, 
mortally ; corporal B. G. Coon, and privates Thomas Mills, (since 
dead,) Francis Cuthberston, W. C. Wolf and F. R. Barcman, of com- 
pany B ; private Joseph Downs, (since dead,) of company D ; pri- 
vate John Sherrod, of company E ; privates Wm. A. Avera and 
Juo. McDonald, and Francis Morrison, of company F; private 
Samuel D. Gordon, of company G ; privates W. G. C. Bradshaw, 
C. C. McMurrey, John T. Ray, W. H. Guthrie and Fred. R. Marze, 
of company H ; private R. S. Green, of company I ; 2d Lieut. J. J. 
Reid, se^bants R. W. Thomas, S. H. Griffin, and J. B. Armstrong ; 
corporals John Dillard and W. Thompson, (since dead) ; privates S. 
R. Hmiard, J. W. T. Melton, J. W. Bates and J. H. Freeman, of 
company K ; 2d. Lieut. J. L. Merritt, and private S. M. Riggshee, 
of company K, making in all thirty-one. 

T regret that I cannot make a more detailed report of the engage- 
ment and its incidents, under present circumstances. 

Too much cannot be said in commendation of the gallant bearing 
of both officers and men, under a ten-ific fire of musketry for the 
space of two hours, and the fate of the gallant dead call the living 
to other deeds of daring for their country's cause. 

It is with peculiarly deep feelings of regret that I report the death 
of Col. Robert M. McKinney, a conscientious, bx-ave, just and skil- 
ful officer, and a Christian gentleman. 

Your obedient servant, 

P. R. IHUE, 
Lieut.-col. commanding. 

To Brig.-gen, Howell Cobb, 

Comm.anding 2d brigade, 2d Division. 
H. A. DowD, Adjn. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 531 

Report of Colonel H. 0. Cabell. 

May 10, 1862. 
To Major-gen, J. B. Mageuder, 

Gexeeal : I have the honor to submit the following report of the 
artillery under my command, from the 5th of April, till the evacuar 
tion of the Peninsula, Our line of defence consisted of the fortifica- 
tions at Yorktown, the redoubts, Nos. 4 and 5, near Yorktown, and 
the line of the head waters of Warwick river, and the Warwick 
river itself. The narrow Peninsula, formed by the junction of the 
Warwick and the James rivers, was abandoned up to a point about 
five miles from the mouth of Warwick river, and at this j^oint, 
called Minor's farm, a series of redoubts, extending from the right 
bank of this river, nearly to Mulberry Island fort, were constructed 
to check any assault of the enemy upon our Tight flank, coming up 
by the way of Land's End. The Warwick river had also obstruc- 
tions placed in it to prevent the approach of the enemy's gunboats 
up this river, and we were further protected by our gunboat Teazer, 
which was placed near the mouth of the Warwick. From the to- 
pography of the ground it was absolutely necessary to occupy the 
whole of this line in the then condition of our forces. Our forces 
were so few in number that it was essaotial to the safety of the 
command that the whole should be defended, as the breaking of 
our lines at any point would necessarily have been attended by the 
most disastrous results; the centre broken or our flank turned, 
compelling a precipitate retreat to Yorktown or Mulberry Island, 
to stand a siege of the enemy's land force, assisted by the whole 
naval force, with but little prospect of relief or reinforcements, 
when the enemy occupied the intermediate country. The left bank 
of the York river was protected by the fortifications at Gloucester 
point. The force of infantry was very small. The cavalry consisted 
of one and a half regiments. The artillery force was very large. 
Heavy guns w^ere mounted at Gloucester point, at Yorktown, at 
redoubt 'No. 4, and at Mulberry Island. From deserters, prisoners, 
and other sources, we were convinced that the enemy was advanc- 
ing in very large force. He had been collecting his troops and 
munitions of war for several weeks, and it was certain that he would 
commence his march with a vastly superior force. Our advanced 
regiments retired before the enemy, according to orders, and took 
their positions upon and in rear of the Warwick river line, in per- 
fect order. Reinforcements had been promised us from Richmond, 



532 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

and the determination of the coramanding general to defend the 
position against assault met the cordial approval and co-operation 
of the army of the Peninsula, Three roads led up from the Penin- 
sula and crossed the line of our defences. The first on our right 
was the Warwick road, that crossed at Lee's mill, Tlie second 
crossed at Wynne's mill, and. the third was commanded by the re- 
doubts, Nos. 4 and 5, near Yorktown. The crossing at Lee's mill 
was naturally strong, and fortifications had been erected there and 
at Wynne's mill. Below Lee's mill the Warwick river, affected by 
the tides and assisted by swamps on each side, formed a tolerable 
jjrotection, but the marshes could easily be made passable and the 
river bridged. Between Lee's mill and Wynne's mill, an unbroken 
forest extended on the right bank of the stream, a distance of about 
three miles. Two additional dams were constructed, the one, dam 
No. 1, nearest to Wynne's mill, the outer, dam No. 2. ' 

A dam, called the upper dam, was constructed in the stream 
above Wynne's mill. This detailed description of the line of de- 
fence seems necessary to explain the positions of the artillery of the 
Peninsula. The whole force of artillery were placed in position. 
Capt, Young's battery and a portion of Major battery, oc- 
cupied Minor's farm. A 12-pounder of Capt. Cosnihan's and a Par- 
rott piece of Capt. Sands', under the command of Lieut. Ritter, were 
placed in the extreme right redoubt at Lee's mill, the battery under 
the charge of Capt. Cosnihan. Capt. Sands' three pieces, and Capt. 
Garrett's and Read's battery, each consisting of three pieces, occu- 
pied the remaining positions at Lee's mill. One gun of Capt. Nel- 
son's battery, under the command of Lieut. Nelson, was placed at 
dam No. 1. . (The Donaldsonville battery) 6 pieces, Capt. Moran, 
Capt. Macon's battery (the Fayette artillery), 6 pieces, three pieces 
of the Howitzers, Caj^t. Herdnall, and a portion of Capt. Southall's 
battery, were stationed at Wynne's mill. A piece of Capt. Herd- 
nail's, and a piece of Capt. Southall's artillery were placed at the 
upper dam. Capts. Smith's, Armistead's, Richardson's, and Page's, 
and the remaining pieces of Capt. Nelson's and Southall's batteries, 
occupied positions'at redoubts Nos. 4 and 5, the curtain connecting 
these reboubts, Yorktown, and the intermediate positions. The 
enemy came up and oj^ened fire upon the morning of the 5th of 
April. From that time till our evacuation of the Peninsula, the fir- 
ing was continued wnth slight intermissions. I have been thus par- 
ticular in noticing the batteries in position on the 5th of April, be- 
cause I think it due to all who first stare the advance of the 
enemy, in force at least seven times greater than ours, and confident 



OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 533 

in superior numbers, should have a place in this report. It is a 
tribute due to their courage, firmness, and patriotic purpose to de- 
fend our position to the last, no matter in what superior numbers 
he should come. The defenc'e was gallantly and most successfully 
made, and our pieces all along the line from Minor's farm to York- 
town were fired at the enemy. My duties called me along the 
whole lines, and I can bear willing testimony to the bravery of the 
infantry and cavalry, all of whom were acting as skirmishers along 
the line. Wherever the enemy appeared, and they appeared all 
along the lines, our muskets and artillery opened upon them. The 
enemy after a few days seemed to change their purpose of breaking 
our lines by assault, and commen<3ed to erect battei'ies in front of 
our lines. They seemed determined to foi'ego the gallant charge and 
resort to the spade and their rifled guns, under the cover of in- 
trenchments, to dislodge us from our position. No other course 
aflTorded a more ennobling tribute to our small force, or a more 
damaging slur upon the boasted arrogance of the enemy. On the 
16th of April, Gen. McClellan laid aside his "ill-timed prudence," 
and ventured an assault at dam No. 1, one of the weakest positions 
on our line. It was of great danger and consummate importance 
to us. A small clearing in the woods had been made on the one 
side, opening upon a large field upon the other. The cleared space 
did not permit us to employ but few guns at this position. 

The enemy had erected three batteries, and opened upon us with 
a converging fire of sixteen guns. A 24:-pounder howitzer of Capt. 
Euders' battery occupied the front and most exposed position, im- 
mediately at Dam No. 1. Two pieces of the Troupe artillery, 
(Capt. Stanley,) occupied positions at the left and right redoubts 
about two hundred yards to the rear upon rising ground. The 
<enemy made an assault in force upon this position and attempted to 
cross. I refer to the reports of Capt. Stanley and Capt. Jordan for 
a detailed account of their conduct in the fight. The charge was 
signally repulsed by our infantry. Our artillery did all that could 
be done in sustaining our infantry force and dispersing the enemy. 
It gives me great pleasure to bear tribute to the alacrity with 
which Capt. Page and Capt. Palmer hurried up to this position 
when sent for by me. It was a critical point in the engagement, 
but by the daring assaults of our infantry, the enemy were quickly 
dispersed, before their guns could be brought up. After this signal 
repulse no further assault was made on our lines. But the fire of 
the enemy was incessant from artillery and musketry. During this 
time our artillery had to be changed frequently at Dam No. 1. 



i.o4: OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

This position was occupied by four pieces of Capt. Rosser's battery, 
Cajit. Kichardson's battery, a section of Capt. Palmer's howitzers, 
and a section of Capt. Rogers' battery, at the redoubt to the right 
of Dam No. 1. The positions of the artillery had also to be shifted 
at other points. All these movements were made at night, neces- 
sarily. 

I was much indebted to Lieut.-col. Brown for his disposition of 
the batteries of the left flank. His report wnll give a more detailed 
account of these batteries, as my supervision over them ceased upon 
the arrival of Gen. Pendleton, chief of artillery, on Gen. Johnson's 
staff, and was confined necessarily to the command of Major-gen. 
Magruder. Up to that time I witnessed the courage and skill they 
displayed. Capt. Stanard's battery arrived and was placed .in po- 
sition below Lee's mill on the 8th of April, Capt. Kemper's battery 
arrived a few days after, and was also put in position. 

From the 5th April to the of , many of our batteries 

were not once relieved. Until reserves came, relief was impossible, 
yet officers and men exhibited as much i^erseverance and ability to 
bear exposure and labor without murmur, as they did courage in 
resisting the enemy. Our defences, which were as strong as 
they could be made by the limited force at your command, were 
necessarily extremely imperfect, and much work had to be done 
after the enemy was upon us. But our men held their positions, 
M'hile our works were being perfected, and until a sufficient force 
arrived to make us secure. 

The God of battles, that ever sides with a just cause, and a wise 
disposition of our forces, and courage and discipline of our army, 
has insured us one of the most gallant defences against apimrently 
overwhelming numbers, that history gives any record of. 

The fidelity and promptness with which my ordei'lies, Wm. O* 
Duke, of the Richmond Fayette artillery, and , of the 

Charles City troop, conveyed my orders, deserve attrition. 

I cannot close this report without calling attention to the bat- 
teries of light and heavy artillery in the several garrisons of Glou- 
cester Point, Yorktown, and Mulberry Island. Tlie very small 
force constituting the army of the Peninsula, on the fifth of April, 
required the withdrawal of the whole infantry and cavalry force 
from Gloucester Point, to move the line of defence between the 
York and James rivers. The heavy artillery was thus left without 
any support for sevei'al days, and most nobly and efficiently did 
they maintain their position. When the line of defence was con- 
tracted, Mulberry Island w.as thrown out of the lines of defence 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 535 

several miles, to stand, if necessary, a siege. Capt. Garrett's and 
Young's batteries were withdrawn to this fort, thus isolated. The 
efficiency aiid skill of the cannoniers at Yorktown were attested 
during the whole defence. The firing was continued until 2 o'clock 
at night, the night of the evacuation, by which time many of our 
troops had arrived at Williamsburg. The skill and efficiency of 
our cannoniers was not only attested by my own observation, but 
by the accounts that have been published in the Noithern papers. 
I ascribe their superior efficiency to the entire calmness and courage 
of our cannoniers, and their superior intelligence. They have had 
but little opportunity for practising, though they have been taught 
the principles and science of firing. Their entire self-possession, 
united with courage, intelligence, and patriotic zeal, enabled them to 
practice the best rule for fix'ing, " fire with deliberate promptness," 
and ensure their success. 

I beg leave particularly to call attention to the efficiency of Lieut. 
Wm. B. Jones, who acted most efficiently as my adjutant during 
the, greater portion of the defence, and of my adjutant Richard M. 
Venable, who relieved him from duty to enable Lieut. Jones to re- 
turn to his company, all the other officers having become inca- 
pacitated from service by arduous and constant exjoosure at the bat 
teries. I deeply regret to have to state that one of these officers, 
Lieut. Shields, a gallant and chivalrous spirit, who had distinguished 
himself in action, has since died. 

Very respectfully, 

H. C. CABELL, 
Col. \st regiment artillery^ and Chief of Artillery. 



Report of Capt. M. Stanley. 

To Col. T. R. R. Cobb, 

Commanding Georgia Legion : 
Colonel : I have the honor to report as follows, in reference to 
the part taken by the battery under my command (Troupe Artil- 
lery), in the engagement of the 16th instant, at Dam No. 1. I had 
but two of my pieces in position at that point, and a 6-pounder army 
howitzer, under Lieut. Lumpkin. The former was on the right, in 
an earthwork of but little strength, and the latter in an earthwork, 
somewhat stronger, on the left. Both woi-ks are unfoitunately 
placed, being in too low a position to command the field on the 



536 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

opposite side of the dam. Beside my own piece one other was 
there — a 24-pounder iron howitzer, belonging to Capt. Jordan's 
battery — placed behind the work just at the dam, and in a position 
to command scarcely more than the dam itself. Our horses, in 
charge of their drivers, Avere placed in a bottom to the right and 
rear of our position. Our 12 -pound howitzer took no part in the 
engagement, because the direction of the enemy was such that it 
could not be fired without endangering the lives of our own men in 
the intrenchments at the dam. In front of the dam, on the opposite 
side from us, is a broad field in which the ground rises gradually 
from the water's edge to the crest of a hill, 600 or 700 yards distant, 
and then slopes up gradually to the woods beyond. This conforma- 
tion gave the enemy an admirable position in which to j^lace his 
artillery, and it indicates how unfortunate for us is the position of 
our works, and of the dam itself. At about 9 o'clock a. m. on the 
16th instant, the enemy brought up, under cover of the hill, a bat- 
tery of six pieces, and placed them just beyond the crest, so as to 
fire, and yet be, to a large extent, protected. Judging from the 
balls thi'own, of which a large number have been gathered up, the 
most of their guns wei'e rifled. There were, however, some 12- 
pounder round shell, and 12-pounder round shot, indicating a smooth 
bore. 

Against this formidable array, the only piece Avhich could be used 
■with any efiect, or without endangering the lives of our men near 
the dam, was the smooth-bore 6-pounder, under Lieut. Pope. • For 
several hours did this piece maintain the unequal conflict. Capt- 
Jordan's piece fired a few rounds, but, from its disadvantageous 
jiosition, could not command the enemy's position, and therefore 
exhibited sound judgment in not prolonging its fire. 

A little before noon there was a mutual cessation of the fire. 
Soon after dinner the conflict was renewed. An attempt was made 
by the enemy's infantry to carry our rifle-pits by fording the stream 
in the woods, some distance below the dam ; and during this assault 
the fire of their artillery upon our works was terrific. The whole 
atmosphere was filled with the exploding shell and shrapnel. As 
before, the piece under Lieut. Pope replied steadily and eflectively, 
and not until the cannoniers were exhausted did the firing on our 
side cease. It was after night when the conflict closed. 

Though several of my men Avere struck with fragments of shell 
and spent minie balls, and though our works were repeatedly pene- 
trated by the enemy's shot, not one behind the works was seriously 
injured. 



OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 537 

One of our drivers, W. P. Meeler, a brave and faithful- young man, 
who was with the horses, had his right leg shot off below the knee 
jy a cannon ball. Seven of our horses were kiUed in the fight ; five 
of them by minie balls in the engagement of the infantry. That 
the casualties among my men were so few, I ascribe to the merciful 
providence of Almighty God. 

The men, with hardly an exception, exhibited great coolness and 
courage. 

Although the howitzer detachment took no active part in the 
conflict, their position was exposed to a very fierce fire. 

I mention, with sj)ecial commendation, Lieut. A. F. Pope, gunner 
J. F. Dillard, and private J. C. Strickland. 

The following, also, are worthy of particular notice : — Sergeant 
R. K. Pridgeon and privates A. C. Sorrell and George B. Atkinson, 
In conclusion, I Avould suggest that our position at Dam No. 1 is 
very inferior to that of the enemy, and that in view of his powei'ful 
and numerous artillery, special attention be given to that point. 
I have the honor to be, 
Very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

M. STANLEY, 
Captain^ commanding Troupe Artillery ^ Georgia Legion. 



REPORT OP EXPEDITION TO PINCKNEY 
ISLAND. 



J. C. Pe:mbeeton, Major-gen. Commanding. 

Head-quarters Department S. C. and Ga., 

Charleston, Aug. 27th, 1862. 
To Gen. S. Cooper, 

Adjutant and Inspector-general^ C. S. A. : 
General : — I have the honor to forward the inclosed reports of 
Col. W. S. Walker and Capt. Stephen Elliott, Beaufort Light Ar- 
tillery, of an expedition against the enemy, stationed on Piuckney 
Island. In forwarding these reports, I would respectfully call your 



53S OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

attention to the gallant and good conduct of Capts. Stephen Elliott 
and Mickler, who conducted the expedition with complete success 
to our arms. 

I am, general, very respectfully. 

J. C. PEMBERTON, 
Major-gen. commanding Dep't /S. C. and Ga. 



Report of Col. W. S. Walker. 

Head-quarters 3d Military Dlstrict, 

McPhersoxyille, Aug. 22d. 
To Major J. R. Waddy, 

A. A.-general, 

Department S. C. and Ga. : 

Major : — I have the honor to report that, from the reconnoissance 
of Lieut.-col. Colcoch, of the 2d battalion cavalry, and Capt. J. M.. 
Mickler, 11th infantry, and the information obtained from three de- 
serters, I was persuaded that a force of the enemy, stationed on the 
northeastern point of Piuckney Island, and believed not to exceed 
one hundred men, could be surprised and captured. For this pur- 
pose, I ordered Capt. Stephen Elliott, of the Beaufort Artillery, with 
Capt. J. H. Mickler, 11th infantry, to organize a boat expedition. 

I refer you to the inclosed report of Capt. Elliott for a clear and 
unreserved statement of his operations. 

For a due understanding of the hazardous nature of the under- 
taking, it is necessary to state, that a gunboat cruises in that im- 
mediate neighborhood, and her masts were seen through the trees 
from the enemy's encampment. There was not only the danger 
attending an attack upon an enemy nearly equal in force, but the 
still greater risk of being intercepted by the powerful batteries of a 
war steamer. The conception of the expedition required daring and 
great rapidity of execution. A prolonged contest, even if successful, 
would have been fatal in its results. I knew that the high qualities 
of the leaders and their men would secure the prompt execution, 
and the result has amply justified my confidence. 

While great credit is due to every officer and man engaged, I 
must specially mention the conspicuous services of Capts. Elliott and 
Mickler, 

My position, in front of an enemy occupying islands, and com- 
manding their approach with powerful war steamers, as well as the 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 



539 



character of my force, consisting mainly of cavalry, armed with shot 
guns, has disabled me from undertaking any large operations against 
the enemy, I believe, however, I have succeeded in impressing 
him with an exaggerated estimate of my force, by means of repeated 
attacks upon his pickets at various points, which would seem^ to 
indicate the confidence and audacity of a strong and threatening 

force. 

I have been indebted to Capt. Stephen EUiott, who is a sailor^ as 
well as a soldier, for the organization, and largely for the execution 
of these affairs. With great zeal and enterprise, he has con- 
tributed a sagacity and prudence which have invariably secured 

success. 

His officers and men have proved w^orthy of their commander. 
They have borne exposure, fatigue, and hunger, with unshrinking 
courage and alacrity. 

Capt. Mickler has but recently been under my command, but, in 
that short time, his boldness as a scout and his gallantry as a leader 
have sustained his well-earned reputation. 

I would commend all the officers and men engaged in the expe- 
dition to the most favorable notice of the general commanding. 

I inclose a copy of the only order of special interest among those 
captured. I will send the prisoners to Charleston as soon as I 
have examined them. 

I have the honor to be, very respectfully, 
Your obedient servant, 

W. S. WALKER, 

Colonel commanding. 



Report of Captain Stephen Elliott. 

McPheksonville, S. C, August 22, 1862. 

Lieut. E. H. Baenwell, 

A. A.-general, 3c? 3IilUary District, Department S. C. : 

SiE :— I have the honor to submit the following report of an 
expedition to Pinckney Island, organized in pursuance to orders 
from District head-quarters : 

On the 18th, in company with Capt. Mickler, I made a careful 
roconnoissance of the island, and formed my plan of attack. I ex- 
tended orders to Capt. Mickler to transport four boats from Hor- 
ton's to Bear Island, and to join me there on the evening of the 



5-10 OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

21st, with one hundred men. I also directed that fifty men of the 
Beaufort artillery, Avith muskets, and a four-pounder boat gun, 
should meet me at Boyd's Landing on the 19th, in order to take 
six boats to Foot Point and Bear Island, by the way of Broad river. 
The disi^ositions were successfully accomplished within the required 
time. 

On the 21st, at 3 a. m., I left Bear Island with detachments of 
Capts. Mickler's, Leadbetter's, and Westcoat's companies, under the 
commands of their captains, and of the Beaufort artillery, under 
Lieut. Stuart, amounting in all to one hundred and twenty men 
(120), thirty-six (36) of whom acted as oarsmen, and remained in 
the boats — nine in number. 

Passing down a creek two miles in length, I landed, at early 
dawn, on Pinckney Island, three hundred (300) yards in rear of the 
dwelling-house, which is situated at the apex of an angle, whose 
sides include about forty (40) degrees. Deploying rapidly across 
the base, I moved forward toward the point, over ground on one 
side open and on the other covered by a dense thicket, up to the 
camp of company H., 3d regiment New Hampshire volunteers, sur- 
prising them, killing, according to the most careful estimate, fifteen, 
and capturing thirty-six, four of whom were wounded. Six were 
seen to escape, and five are known to have been absent. These, 
with the previous numbers named, give sixty-two (62), the number 
on their morning report book. The Lieutenant in command, the 
only officer present, either escaped or was killed. There is good 
reason to believe the latter. 

To avoid delay in so exposed a position, I forbade the men 
to touch an article, and we returned, bringing oif the company 
records and two fine boats, having remained on the island fifteen 
minutes. 

Eight of my men were wounded, six of them, I regret to say, by 
their own men. This is the more provoking, as I earnestly and re- 
peatedly warned both ofiicers and men against this very danger. 
Some palliation may exist in the fact that some of the men were en- 
gaged for the first time, that the disaster sprung from an excess of 
zeal and courage, and that there was not light enough to distinguish 
persons at any distance. The mixture of small detachments too, at 
all times an element of confusion, is especially so in surprises at 
night, when the necessity of silence demands the most rigid disci- 
pline and uniformity of action. 

I take pleasure in saying that the whole command acted with 
great spirit and determination. It is a just tribute to a gallant offi- 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 



541 



cer to say that Capt. Mickler, by his ceaseless energy and labor for 
days and nights previously, as well as by his valuable suggestions, 
contributed in no small degree to the success of the- enterprise ; 
Avhile, by his impetuous courage, he rendered complete the surprise 
of he enemy. 

Inclosed are hsts of our wounded and of the prisoners. I send, 
also, the books and j^apers captured. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 

STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr., 
Capt. Beaufort Artillery., commcmdmg expedition. 



List of Prisoners at McPhersonville. S. C. 

1 Jerome B. McQueslan, Sergeant company H, 3d N. H. 

2 George W. Bumham, " " " " 

3 Chas. F. French, ' « " " « 

4 Wm. Godd, Corporal " " " 

5 Charles Schenner, " " " " 

6 George Cluff, « « " " 

7 Wm. Robinson, Private " " " 

8 Eben Adams, " " " " 

9 Asa B.Perry, * " " " « 

10 Jeremiah Dogan, " " " " 

11 James C. Roach, « " " " 

12 Patrick Welch, " " " " 

13 David A. Paige, " " " " 

14 John Locldan, " " " " 

15 John B.Davis, " " " " 

16 H. C. Paige, " " " " 

17 John Brady, « " « " 
IS Thos. Adams, " " " " 

19 Edw'd Bickford, " " " " 

20 Levy McDuffie, " " " " 

21 Walker J. Rupards, " " " " 

22 John A. Smith, " " " " 

23 Alden E. Metcalf, " . " " " 

24 Chas. F. Bumham, " " " " 

25 Timothy Parker, " " " " 

26 Wm. Butterfield, " " " " 

27 James Callahan, " " " " 

28 Geo. A. Turner, " « " " 



5-1:2 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

List of Prisoners at Hardeeville., S. C. 

1 Chas. Harvey, Sergeant company H, 3d, N. H. 

2 Enoch Harvey, Private " " " (Wounded in arm.) 

3 Dan'l Jepperson, " " " " " 

4 Cyrus Hunt, "" » « " (Sick.) 

5 Elbert Blood, " " « " « 

6 Frank Ferrin, « '« « " " 

1 America Briggs, " " " " (Wd'd in head.) 

8 James O'Neal, " " " " (Sick.) 

The above is a correct list of the prisoners captured at Pinckney 
Island. 

STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr., 
Capt. Beaufort Artillery^ coni^d''g expedition. 



List of Wounded. 

Company C, 11th regiment, S. C. V. — Private , wounded 

in leg, severely. 

Company E, 11th regiment S. C. V. — Capt. Mickler, wounded iu 
leg, not dangerous. Sergeant Jesse Smith, body, dangerously. 
Corporal J. Nix, wounded in body, singe died. Pi-ivate D. B. 
Goyhagen, wounded in leg, slightly. Private J. Horton, leg, 
slightly. 

Company G, 11th regiment S. C. V. — Private M. Bradley, wound- 
ed in ankle, slightly. 

Capt. Howard's cavalry. — Private Vergneur, wounded in arm, 
severely. 

The above is a correct list of our wounded. 

STEPHEN ELLIOTT, Jr., 
Capt. JSeavfort Artillery^ cotn^d'g expedition. 



Order op Major-gen. D. Hunter. 

Head-quarters Department of the South, 
Hilton Head, Port Royal, S. C. 
August 17th, 1862. 
General Orders, No. 27. 

I. The 7th regiment of New Hampshire volunteers. Col. Put- 
nam, will be held in readiness to embark for St. Augustine, Florida, 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 543 

of which place it will hereafter form the garrison. Lieut.-col. Sleep- 
er, of the 4th regiment of New Hampshire volunteers, on being re- 
lieved by Col, Putnam, will embark with the several companies of 
his regiment, now at Saint Augustine, for this place. 

II. It is with deep regret that the general commanding the de- 
partment has received several reports against officers for returning 
fugitive slaves, in direct violation of a law of Congress. It will 
hardly be believed, when it is announced that a New England col- 
onel is to-day, in the second year of the rebellion, in arrest for 
having been engaged in the manly task of turning over a young 
woman, whose skin was almost as white as his own, to the cruel 
lash of her rebel master ! 

III. Numerous acts of pilfering from the negroes have taken 
place in the neighborhood of Beaufort, committed by men wearing 
the uniform of the United States. I cannot and will not call them 
soldiers. To enable Gen. Saxton to have these petty thieves ar- 
rested and sent to this post for punishment, the three companies of 
the 4th regiment of New Hampshire volunteers, now at Beaufort, 
will be placed exclusively under his command, for service on the 
plantations. Major Drew, or the officer commanding these three 
companies, will be directed by Gen. Brannan to report immediately 
to Gen. Saxton for orders. 

IV. All the furniture left by the rebels on the islands, including 
that left in the city of Beaufort, is hereby placed under the exclu- 
sive jurisdiction of Gen. Saxton. 

By command of Major-gen. D. Hunter, 
(Signed) * ED. W. SMITH, 

1st Lieut. 15th Infantry^ AcVg AssH AdjH-(/e?i'l, 



REPORT or THE AFFAIR NEAR GALLATIN. 



Col. John H, Morgan commanding. 

Head-quarters Morgan's Regiment. 

Hartsville, August 22, 1862. 
To Adjutant-general : 

General : — I beg to confirm my dispatch of the 20th inst., an- 
nouncing the result of yesterday's expedition. 



5-14 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 

My command, consisting of my own regiment, VOO strong, and a 
squadron of Texas rangers, numbering about 100 men, returned 
that day, worn out, to Gallatin. 

At 1 1 p. M., I received information from one of my friendly scouts 
that the enemy's cavalry were encamped on the roadside, between 
Castilian Springs and Hartsville, a distance of only 1 2 miles from 
ray camp. 

Judging from the fact that they had halted by the roadside, I 
concluded that tliey intended to march at night, and attack early 
in the moi'ning, and I made my preparations accordingly, dispatch- 
ing scouts upon whom I could depend, to bring me positive infor- 
mation as to the enemy's movements. 

At day-break my column was on the move, and as the advanced 
guard reached the head of the town, my pickets came galloping in, 
followed by my principal scout, who reported that be was closely 
pursued by a large body of cavalry. 

Not wishing, on account of the inhabitants, to make Gallatin the 
scene of our contest, I advanced my column, and was gi-eeted, on 
reaching the Hartsville pike, by a heavy fire from that direction. 

I dismounted the two leading companies to fight, and threw them 
into the woods, on the left of the road. The enemy increased his 
fire, and I gradually had ray wholie command engaged. 

The fight began at half-past C o'clock, and was maintained with- 
out much advantage on either side — the enemy having, perhaps, 
rather the best of it at first — until about half-past 8, when they 
began to fall back, and ray raen to redouble their efforts. At half- 
past 9, I had driven thera four miles, and was preparing for a final 
charge, when a flag of truce was brought, proposing an armistice, 
in order to bury their dead. 

My reply was, that I could entertain no proposition, except un- 
conditional suri'cnder. 

I learned that the troops were commanded by Brig.-gen. Johnson. 
During the parley, the enemy had formed into line of battle, and 
were, evidently, ready to defend themselves from any fresh attack. 

I divided ray force into three divisions, leading one rayself in the 
direction which I thought Gen. Johnson had taken. Major Morgan 
had five companies under his orders, on ray left. Lieut.-coJ. Duke, 
on ray right, had three companies and his advance guard. 

Some delay was occasioned by the non-arrival of my gallant Texas 
rangers, who formed part of the body under my own immediate 
orders. They had been separated from their horses during the pre- 
ceding fight, and had not been able to recover them in time to come 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 545 

to the front. On their arrival, we marched on in the direction of 
the enemy, and Col. Duke's division coming within sight, advanced 
at a canter, and opened fire. 

Gen. Johnson's forces being on a good pike, retreated for some 
time, faster than my men, who were on difficult ground, could fol- 
low, but, after a pursuit of some two miles, they were overtaken, 
and compelled to fight. 

They were dismounted and formed behind their horses. The po- 
sition they had selected was a very good one, especially as they 
considerably out-numbered Col. Duke's force, which was the only 
one opposed to them, Major Morgan and my own detachment, in 
the eagerness of pursuit, having taken too far to the left. 

Col. Duke reports that on perceiving that the enemy had halted, 
he formed his three companies and the advance guard into columns 
of squadrons, preserving the regular distances between each, so as 
to be able to form into line at command, and attack. 

This was done with admirable precision and coolness by his men, 
and nothing could exceed their gallantry. 

The enemy 'were formed under the brow of a hill, and ray men 
were drawn up above them, so that their fire told with effect on my 
line, whilst that of the attacking party went over their heads. 

After a very sharp engagement of about fifteen minutes, they 
broke and ran. 

Gen. Johnson, his Adj.-gen. Capt. Turner, Major Winfrey, and a 
number of privates were captured, but the main body escaped to 
the hills, through the woods and high corn, making for the Cum- 
berland river. 

Thus ended an action in which my command, not exceeding 700 
men, (one whole company being in the rear with prisoners) succeed- 
ed in defeating a brigade of 1,200 chosen cavalry, sent by Gen. 
Buell expressly to take me or drive me out of Tennessee, killing and 
wounding some 180, and taking 200 prisoners, including the Brig.- 
gen. commanding, and the greater part of the regimental officers. 

My loss in both actions amounted to 5 killed and 18 wounded, 
2 missing. Amongst the wounded was Capt. PIuflTman, who had 
his arm shattered by a ball whilst leadjng gallantly on his brave 
Texan rangers — a small body of men, commanded by Major Gano, 
of whom I cannot speak too highly, as they have distinguished 
themselves ever since they joined my command, not only by their 
bravery, but their good soldier-like conduct. 

To all my officers and men my best acknowledgments are due ; 
nothing but hard fighting carried them through. 

35 



546 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

To my personal staff I am deeply indebted — Col. St. Leger Gren- 
fell, Acting Adjt.-gen., ably supported me; Capt. Lewellen, my 
quarter-master, and Capt. Green Roberts, who acted as my Aides- 
de-camp, were most active and fearless in carrying ray orders, and 
the Captains of companies cool and collected in the performance of 
them. 

Lieut.-col. Duke led on his regiment, if possible, with more than 
his usual gallantry, and contributed, by the confidence with which 
he has inspired his men, to insui-e the success of the day. 

Lieut.-col. Duke makes particular mention of the cool and deter- 
mined manner in which Lieut. Rogers, commanding advanced guard, 
Capts. Hutchinson, Castle, and Lieut. White, respectively com- 
manding the tliree companies composing his division, behaved ; 
in fact, the conduct of both officers and men deserves the highest 
praise. 

I received every assistance from the patriotism and zeal of the 
neighboring citizens, amongst whom Major Dufiey, and Capt. R. A. 
Bennet, were pre-eminent. 

I have also to report that I have received a dispatch from Gen. 
Forrest, stating that he has encamped within eight miles of me, 
with a reinforcement of 800 men, but no artillery — the want of 
this arm cripples my movements and prevents my advance witli 
that certainty of effect winch a battery would afford. 

Recruits are daily and hourly arriving. The population seems at 
last to be thoroughly aroused, and to be determined on I'esistance. 

I hope shortly, general, to be able to report further successes, 

and rest assured that no exertions on my part shall be wanting — 

no sacrifices on that of my officers and men will prevent our giving 

as good an account of the enemy as our small numbers will admit of. 

I have the honor to be, 

With the greatest respect, general, 
Your most obedient servant, 

JOHN H. MORGAN, 
Colonel commanding Cavalry, C. S. A. 

P. S. — This morning I received positive information as to Gen. 
jST Olson's intentions and nfovements. He is retreating from Nash- 
ville to reinforce Bowling Green, at the head of 1,500 inflintry, 200 
cavalry, and 12 cannon. It is evidently the intention of the Feder- 
als to attempt the defence of the line at Bowling Green and 
Lebanon. 

J. H. M. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 54:7 



PROCLAMATION. 



Head-quartees Morgan's Brigade, 

Hartsville, Tekn., August 22, 1862. 

Soldiers : Your gallant bearing during the last two days will 
not only be inscribed in the history of the country and the annals 
of this war, but is engraven deeply in my heart. 

Your zeal and devotion on the 20th, at the attack of the trestle- 
work at Saundersville, and of the Springfield Junction Stockade — 
your heroism during the two hard fights of yesterday, have placed 
you high on' the list of those patriots who are now in arms for our 
Southern rights. 

All communication cut off betwixt Gallatin and Nashville — a body 
of 300 infantry totally cut up or taken prisoners — the Uberation of 
those kind friends arrested by our revengeful foes — for no other 
reason than their compassionate care of our sick and wounded, 
would have been laurels sufiicient for your brows. But, soldiers, 
the utter annihilation of Gen. Johnson's brigade — composed of 
twenty-four picked companies of regulars, and sent on purpose to 
take us, i-aises your reputation as soldiers, and strikes fear into the 
craven hearts of your enemies. Gen. Johnson and his staff, with 
200 men taken prisoners, sixty-four killed and 100 wounded, attests 
the resistance made, and bears testimony to your valor. 

But our victories have not been achieved without loss. We have 
to mourn some brave and dear comrades. Their names will remain 
in our breasts, their fame outlives them. They died in defence of a 
good cause. They died like gallant soldiers — with their front to 
the foe. 

Ofiicers and men ! Your conduct makes me proud to command 
you ! Fight always as you fought yesterday, and you are invin- 
cible. 

JOHN H. MORGAN, 
Colonel commanding Cavalry. 



548 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 



REPORT OF OPERATIONS AT BRIDGEPORT AND 
BATTLE CREEK. 



brig.-gen. s. b. maxey commaxdixg. 

Head-quarters C. S. Forces, near Graham's, 

Opposite Mouth op Battle Creek, Aug. 30, 1862. 
To Capt. C. S. Stringfellow, 

Assistant Adjutant-general. 

Captain : I have the honor to submit tlie following report of the 
affairs in which a portion of the troops under my command were 
engaged on the 2'7th instant: 

Early in the morning I ordered Capt. P. H. Rice, comman^ding 
company A, Howard's battalion, Georgia and Alabama cavalry, to 
ford the Tennessee river, about two and a half miles below Bridge- 
port, and cautiously a])proach that place and attack the enemy. 
Capt. Rice found, however, that the enemy had precipitately evacu- 
ated the night before. 

This being communicated to me, I ordered the 32d Alabama 
regiment of infantry, Col. McKinstry, which was concealed on the 
bank of the river, to cross. Capt. Rice was, in the mean time, or- 
dered to throw his cavalry well out on the Battle creek and Steven- 
son roads. 

Scarcely had the 32d crossed, when the cavalry reported enemy's 
infantry and cavalry approaching in force, the truth of which was 
made apparent from the clouds of dust in the roads. 

I immediately ordered the 32d to be formed in line of battle, near 
the crest of the hill in the town. And in a few moments the enemy's 
cavalry (4th Ohio and OHe other, name not known), dashed up in 
full speed, and were permitted to come within less than fifty yards 
of the infantry before a gun was fired, when a gaUing fire was poured 
into them, and they retreated in gi-eat confusion. In a short time 
clouds of dust warned me of the enemy's approach on our left, and 
to meet it, I had the front of the left wing changed forward in time 
to receive another dash of cavalry, which was again thrown in con- 
fusion by another volley more effective than the first, and he again 
I'etreated, but re-formed, and by the dust I soon saw he was approach 



OFp-ICrAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 549 

ing the centre, A company of the 8 2d Alabama, armed with the 
Enfield rifle, commanded by Lieut. Sellers, was placed in the centre 
in ambush, and as the enemy came up the hill, in very close range, 
this company rose and delivered its deadly fire simultaneously with 
the wings, separated for cover, and this time the enemy broke and 
fled in j>erfect confusion. 

Whilst this portion of the fight was going on, my batteries, con- 
sisting of Capt. Freeman's and Capt. Dunn's artillery, and one 24- 
pounder rifle-gun, opened (by previous agreement) out on the 
enemy's works, at the mouth of Battle creek, about five miles dis- 
tant up the river, and continued incessantly during the entire day. 
The heavy columns of dust bearing towards Stevenson from the 
enemy's camps around there, showed a general commotion. 

At night I ordered the battery commanders to keep the fire up, 
believing the enemy, if properly managed, would evacuate before 
day. At about two o'clock in the morning the work was abandoned 
in great con^iision, the enemy burning most of his commissary stores, 
but leaving in our possession some 630,000 worth of valuable pro- 
perty, embracing some commissary stores, ordnance stores, quarter- 
master stores, clothing, all his tents, thirty-two horses and four 
mules, a few wagons and ambulances, and some few medicines, and 
a splendid case of surgical instruments, besides some sutler's stores, 
a number of officers' trunks, many of the post commander's papers, 
and some very valuable maps. It is proper to observe, that after 
the fight commenced at Bridgeport, the 3d Georgia cavalry and 
2oth Tennessee infantry were ordered across, but did not reach the 
place in time to participate. Indeed, it was only after the fight had 
opened that I received notice that the 3d Georgia was placed at my 
disposal temporarily. 

I was informed by the major-general commanding, several days 
ago, that some cavalry, under Col. Lay, would move down the Se- 
quachie Valley, and I had hoped to have its assistance. At 10 p. 3f. 
on the 27th, I received a note from Col. Lay, dated Jasper, 5i p. m., 
informing me that he was there with 550 cavalry, and desired me to 
inform him of my movements, stating that he heard the cannonad- 
ing, &e. This I did, with an expression of belief that the enemy 
would be shelled out before morning, and saying to him (in sub- 
stance) that if he would take his position about the mouth of Swee- 
den's cove about daylight, he would probably get them. 

It is unfortunate that these suggestions were not acted on, for if 
they had been, the enemy being panic sti'icken by throwing cavalry 
in his front, the hills on either side, and my forces in rear, would 



550 OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

lia\ t' been easy prey. I am indebted to Capt. S, M, Scott, Assistant 
Adjutant-gen., Capt. C. G. Schultz, Assistant Inspector-gen., Capt. 
M. H. Lewis, ordnance officer of ray staff, and my aid, Lieut, R. C. 
Andrews, for valuable and efficient aid. The work between tlie 
two points kept the first three constantly busy — Capt. Scott person- 
ally superintending the throwing forward reinforcements. My aid, 
Lieut. Andrews, was with me at Bridgeport, and did his duty coolly 
and well. 

The 32d Alabama did nobly, fighting like veterans, under their 
able colonel (McKinstry), seconded by Lieut.-col. Maney, dis- 
tinguished for gallantry and coolness on the field. Capts. Fx-eeman 
and Dure, and the officers under them, did their whole duty. 
Lieut. Holtzclaw, of Capt. Dare's battery, worked the siege gun 
most of the time and splendidly. It was handled part of the time 
by Capt. McCreery. Capt. Rice and his command acted in a man- 
ner worthy of all praise. In short, I never saw troops behave bet- 
ter than did the 32d Alabama, Rice's cavalry, Freenianjp and Dure's 
batteries, and the detachment with siege guns. I particularly call , 
your attention to the boldness of this regimentof infantry in wading 
a broad sheet of water, such as the Tennessee, up to their arm-pits, 
with reti'eat cut off, and the enemy known to be strong in front. 
Sliould I be furnished with sufficient cavalry to reap the fruits of 
this movement, our cause will be greatly benefited. The work out 
of which the enemy was shelled, is a splendidly constructed field 
work, admirably executed, is the key to the Sequachie Valley, and 
its possession completely breaks the enemy's chain up the Tennessee 
river. With cavalry to operate from that point toward Stevenson 
and Huntsville, the enemy could be kei)t in constant alarm. I neglected 
in this appropriate place, to say, which I do with gratitude, that our 
loss was trifling, only six wounded — one missing — thus small owing 
to the fact that the grounds on which the fight took place at 
Bridgeport were perfectly well known to me, and the men, most of 
the time, bad the advantage of covei-. The enemy's loss, for such 
an affiiir, was heavy, variously estimated from fifty to seventy-five 
killed and wounded in the two engagements, certainly not less than 
fifty, and the indications are it was greater. 
Very respectfully, 

your obedient servant, 

S. B. MAXEY, 
Brig.-gen. commanding. 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 651 



REPORT 

Of the three engagements with the enemy, near 

Richmond, Ky. 

Majoe-general E. Kibbt Smith commanding. 



Head-quarters Army of Kentucky, 

Richmond, Ky., August 30th, 1862. 
Gen. S. Cooper, 

Adjutant and Inspector-geyieral G. S.A., Richmond Va.: 

Sir : — It is my great pleasure to announce to you that God has 
thrice blessed our arras to-day. After a forced march, almost day 
and night, for three days, over a mountain wilderness, destitute 
alike of food and water, I found the enemy drawn up in force to 
oppose us, at a point eight miles .from this place. With less than 
half my force, I attacked and carried a very strong position at 
Mount Zion Church, after a hard fight of two hours. Again, a still 
better position at White's farm, in half an hour ; and finally, in this 
town, just before sunset, our indomitable troops deliberately walked 
(they were too tired to run) up to a magnificent position, manned 
by 10,000 of the enemy, many of them perfectly fresh, and carried 
it in fifteen minutes. It is proper for me now to give you the exact 
results of these glorious battles. Our loss is comparatively small. 
That of the enemy, many hundred killed and wounded, and several 
thousand prisoners. We have captured artillery, small arms, and 
wagons. Indeed, every thing indicates the almost entire annihila- 
tion of this force of the enemy. » In the first two battles they were 
commanded by Gen. Manson, in the last by Gen. Nelson. 

Reinforcements must be sent up to me at once. We have large 
numbers of adherents here, who, if we can show an ability to main- 
tain ourselves^ will fiock to our standard. 

I am, sir, respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

(Signed) E. KIRBY SMITH, 

Major-general commanding. 



552 OFFICIAL KEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

August 31st, 
General : — I have only time to add that the commander of the 
enemy, Gen. Nelson, was wonnded m the thigh! The second in com- 
mand, Gen. Mauson (and staff), a prisoner in this place, and Gen, 
Miller killed. All their artillery taken, some 3,500 prisoners, and" 
their whole force dispersed in every direction. The cavalry con- 
tinues to bring in prisoners. 

Respectfully, and in haste, 
(Signed) E. KIRBY SMITH, 

Major-ge7ieral. 



Report of Maj.-gen. E. Kirby Smith. 

Head-quarters Armt of Kentucky, 
Lexington, Ky., Sept. 16, 1862. 
Gen. S. Cooper, 

Adjutant and Ins.-gen.^ 

Richmond, Va, : 

General : — In my short letter of the 30th ultimo, I gave you the 
results of my actions of that day, of which I have the honor now to 
make a more detailed report. 

Before leaving Barboursville for this part of Kentucky, I wrote 
to you, fully explaining the reasons that prompted me to take that 
step. Until my advance descended the Big Hill, it met with no 
opposition from the enemy. Here, on the morning of the 29th, the 
enemy was discovered to be in force in our front, and a bold recon- 
noissance of the cavalry, under Col. Scott, in the afternoon, indicated 
a determination to give us battle. Although Churchill's division 
did not get up until quite late in the afternoon, and then in an ap- 
parently exhausted state, I determined to march to Richmond the 
next day, even at the cost of a ba'ttle with the whole force of the 
enemy. The leading division, under Gen. Cleburne, was moved 
early the next morning, and after marching two or three miles, 
they found the enemy drawn up in line of battle in a fine position 
near Mount Zion Church, six miles from Richmond. Without 
waiting for Churchill's division, Cleburne at once commenced the 
action, and when I arrived on the field, half-past 7 o'clock, the fire 
of artillery was brisk on both sides. As my force was almost too 
small to storm the position in front without a disastrous loss, I sent 
Gen. Churchill, with one of his brigades, to turn the enemy's right 



OFFICrAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 553 

While this move was being executed, a bold and well-conducted 
attempt on the j^art of the enemy to turn Cleburne's right, was 
admirably foiled by the firmness of Col. Preston Smith's bi'igade, 
who rej^ulsed the enemy with great slaughter. It was about this 
•time, and while he was riding from his right to his left, that Gen. 
Cleburne was badly wounded in the face, and thus, at a critical 
moment, I was deprived of the services of one of the most gallant, 
zealous, and intelligent officers of the whole army. 

The command of this division then devolved upon Col. Preston 
Smith. In the mean time, (-xen, Churchill had been completely suc- 
cessful in his movement upon the enemy's right flank, where, by a 
bold charge, his men completed a victory already partially gained 
by the gallantry of our troops on the right. 

In this action our loss was quite heavy on the right, but in com- 
parison with that of the enemy, was small. 

It being reported that the enemy had taken up a new position, 
on White's farm, two miles in front, I ordered Churchill, with one 
brigade, to again turn his right, intending to bring up Preston 
Smith on the other flank. But a desperate attempt on the part of 
the enemy to crush Churchill, caused the action to commence be- 
fore the arrival of Smith's division, and so this gallant brigade 
(Col. McCray's), of Texans and Arkansians had to fight the battle 
alone. Although the odds opposed to them were fearful, yet, by 
reserving their own fire, under the deafening roar of the enemy's 
guns, and by a well-timed and dashing charge upon the advancing 
lines, they completely routed and put to flight the hosts of the 
enemy, just as the cheers of Smith's division announced their ar- 
rival in the field. The loss of the enemy here was very great, 
including one piece of artillery ; ours, almost nothing. Scott's 
cavalry having been around to our left by another road, to get in 
the rear of Richmond, I felt during the whole day much in need of 
cavalry to follow up our diflierent successes. It was then, that in this 
second repulse of the enemy, I ordered Caj^t. Nelson, commanding a 
company of Partizan Rangers, to charge the retreating masses of the 
enemy. This was promptly and admirably obeyed, the results being 
the capture of numerous prisoners. In passing a deserted camp of 
the enemy, I found from some of the w^ounded that Gen, Nelson, 
Avith reinforcements, had arrived after the second battle. A march 
of two miles brought us within sight of the town, in front of which, 
and on a commanding ridge, with both flanks resting upon woods, 
Nelson had determined to make a final stand. For a third time, 
Churchill, with a brigade (McNair's), was sent off" to the left, when 



554: OFFICIAL RF.PORTS OF BATTLES. % 

a deafening roar of musketry soon announced the raging of a furious 
combat. In the mean while, Preston Smith, bringing up his division 
at a double-quick, formed with wonderful decision and rapidity in 
front of the enemy's centre and left. Almost without waiting the 
command of the officers, this division coolly advanced under the 
murderous fire of a force twice their number, and drove them 
from the field in the greatest confusion, and Avith immense slaugh- 
ter. Owing to the open character of the country, our loss in the 
last fight was quite heavy, including some valuable regimental 
officers. The exhausted condition of my men, together with the 
closing in of night, prevented the pursuit of the enemy more than a 
mile beyond Richmond. But the timely arrival of Col. Scott, with 
his cavalry, upon their two lines of retreat, enabled him greatly to 
increase the fruits of the hard labors of the day, by capturing large 
numbers of prisoners, including Gen. Manson and stafl:', as also 
eight pieces of artillery, and a number of wagons, and while my 
whole force was not more than five thousand, that of the enemy 
was more than ten. In this last engagement, we took prisoners 
from thirteen regiments. Our loss in killed and wounded is about 
400; that of the enemy is about 1,000, and his prisoners 5,000. 
The immediate fruits of the victory were 9 pieces of artillery and 
10,000 small arms, and a large quantity of supplies. These latter 
were greatly increased by the capture of this place and Frankfort, 
the whole number of cannon taken being about twenty. I regret 
that I am unable to forward with this the reports of all the different 
commands of the forces en^affed. 

Those inclosed (Gen. Churchill's and Col. Scott's), will show you 
how much cause the Confederacy has to be proud of her sons. I 
almost fear to particularize, lest I do not full justice to all ; but I 
cannot close this report without expressing my admiration at the 
jiromptness and intelligence with which Gens. Churchill and Cle- 
burne, and Col. Preston Smith, executed the orders given them. 
My thanks are due to the following members of my staff, who were 
with me on the field, for their active assistance to me during the 
day, viz. : Cols. Pegram and Boggs, Lieut.-col. Brent, Majors J. A. 
Brown, McElrath, and Thomas, Oapt. Merse, Lieuts. Cunningham 
and Pratt, and Capts. Walworth, and Hammond, and McFi'evet, 
volunteer aids. Too much praise cannot be given to the medical 
director. Surgeon S. A. Smith, and to his assistants, for their un- 
tiring devotion to the arduous labors that devolved upon them. 

As regards the intrepid behavior of the true patriots, the men in 
the ranks, I can only say, that as long as the destinies of the South 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLKS. 555 

remain in such liands, we need never fear Xorthern subjugation. 
But even more than their nohle courage before the enemy, are we 
called upon to admire that higlier courage, wliich enabled them to 
imdergo, without murmur, the fatigues and hardships of one of the 
most difficult marches of this war. For several days, and parts of 
the nights, through a country almost entirely without water, over 
stony roads, with their almost bare feet, and with green corn and 
beef, without salt, as their only food, did these gallant men trudge 
along, inspired only with the desire of being led against the invad- 
ers of their homes, and the oppressors of their liberties. 

I refer you to the reports of the division and brigade command- 
ers, only a part of which I am now able to forward, for notice of 
special cases of good behavior. 

I remain, general. 

Very respectfully, 

Your obedient servant, 

E. KIRBY SMITH. 



Report of Brig.-gen. Churchill. 

Head-quarters 3d Division, A. K., 
Ctnthiana, Ky., September 8th, 18G2. 
To Major-gen. E. Kirby Smith : 

General :— I have the honor to- report, that on the morning of 
the 30th ultimo, according to instructions, I moved my division, 
composed of the first and second brigades, commanded by Cols. 
McCray and McNair respectively, up the road in the direction of 
Richmond. When I arrived in the neighborhood of KingstoiT, I 
beard the artillery open on our right, showing that Gen. Cleburne 
had met the enemy. 

It was now about 8 o'clock a. m. It was at this time you ar- 
rived on the field, and ordered me to hold one of my brigades in 
■ reserve, while, with tlie other, I was to make a flank movement on 
the enemy's right. In accordance with these instructions, I left 
Col. McNair, with his brigade, as a reserve force, and proceeded 
Avith Col. McCray's brigade, composed of Arkansas and Texan 
troops, to execute the movement on the enemy's flank, and, by pro- 
ceeding cautiously through a corn field and a ravine, had almost 
perfect°ed the move, when the enemy, pressed by our forces on our 



556 OFFICIAL RRPORTS OF BATTLES. 

rit^ht, commenced to give way ; but, after falling back some clis- 
tance, they foitned in a skirt of timber, when my forces fired and 
cliarged upon them. Then, for the first time discovering my posi- 
tion, they commenced a preciftitate retreat, but not before we had 
killed a great many, and taken a number of prisoners. 

I was again ordered to move up on the left, with the same 
brigade, while Gen. Cleburne was to move on the right. After 
proceeding some two miles in the direction of Richmond, I found 
tlie entire force of the enemy, numbering eight or ten thousand, in 
a strong position on the left of the road, concealed by a cornfield 
and a skirt of timber. I then sent Gen. Cleburne word to move 
up, that I was ready to engage the enemy. I then ])laced one sec- 
tion of Capt. Humphrey's battery, under command of Lieut. , 

on my right, about two hundred yards from the enemy, to more' 
effectually rake his lines. Before Gen. Cleburne's division came up, 
the fight had commenced in earnest. 

The fire of the enemy's aitillery and musketry was most terrific, 
while wo replied only with artillery. I then ordered my command 
to lie down, protected by a fence and ditch, and, for full five 
minutes, we did not fire a gun in response to their terrible fire. 

The enemy were at this time advancing in heavy force, and when 
they had arrived within fifty yards of my line, the order was given 
to rise, fire, and charge, which order was prom])tly and gallantly 
obeyed. The enemy could not withstand the desperate courage of 
my men, but still, for a while they contested every inch of ground 
as they were driven from it, until finally, finding it impossible to 
check this gallant charge, they gave way in every direction. 

The victory was complete. The field was covered with the dead 
niid wounded of the enemy, and some (though comparatively few) 
of the gallant sons of Arkansas and Texas fell martyrs to the cause 
of*liberty. Here we captured a large number of prisoners, guns 
and equipments of all kinds. In tliis charge one splendid rifle can- 
non was taken. This was, perhai)S, the most severely contested fight 
of the day. Finding this brigade worn down by incessant fighting, 
I ordered up Col. McNair to follow in pursuit of the now flying 
enemy. After pursuing them some two miles, we found them again * 
drawn up in line, near the outskirts of Richmond, having collected 
their whole force for a last and final struggle. 

Here I took position on the right of the enemy's line. Soon my 
f«kirmislu'rs engaged those of the enemy, which was soon followed 
by a general engagement of my forces. I was driving back the 
enemy's right wing, when I heard firing on my right, showing that 



OFFICIAL RKPORTS OF BATTLES. 657 

Gen. Cleburne had engaged the enemy on tlicir left. The engage- 
ment then became general throughout tlu; entire line. 

For a time the contewt was sharp, and the rattle of the musketry 
almost deafening, but again, for the third and last time, the enemy 
fled in great confusion through the streets of Richmond, as night 
closed upon our victorious army. 

I captured in this engagement a lai'ge amount of ordnance and 
ordnance stores, together with four or five hundred prisoners. 

I cannot speak too highly of the gallantry ^nd coolness displayed 
by Cols. McNair and McCray throughout the entire day, and I have 
to thank them for the promptness and skill.with which they executed 
orders. Of the two batteries in my division, the one commanded 
by Capt. Douglas was ordered the evening previous to report to 
Gen. Cleburne for orders. The other, commanded by Capt. Hum- 
phreys, was with my division during the whole day, and it gives me 
great pleasure to say that his pieces were handled with surprising 
skill and ability, and did great execution in the ranks of the 
enemy. 

My loss during the entire day in killed, wounded, and missing, 
was two hundred and tAventy-four. 

Before closing, I must particularly mention the daring bravery 
and gallant bearing, on the battle-field, of the following members of 
my staff: Capt, B. S. Johnson, Adj.-gen. ; Capt. B. F. Blackburn, In- 
spector-gen. ; Capt. John Renwick, volunteer aid ; Capt. Jones, Signal 
Corps, and Lieut. J. M. Rose, Ordnance officer. These officers were 
ever seen beai-ing orders through the thickest of the fight, and, at 
times, in the front of the battle, cheering on my men to vict#iy. My 
Division Surgeon, Dr. C. II. Smith, in addition to his professional 
services upon the field to the wounded, rendered me many valuable 
services. The officers and men of my entire division always met the 
enemy with unflinching gallantry, and were the pi'oud victor.4 of 
every field ; and for the privations, hardships, and almost unequalled 
marches, all of which they have borne without a murmur, they de- 
serve the thanks of their country, 

I have the honor to be, genei-al, very res])ectfully, 

Your most obedient servant, 

Y. J. CHURCHILL, 
Jjrig.-gen. commandinrj Zd Division Army of Kenluckij. 



558 OFFICIAL EEP0RT8 O^ BATTLES. 

Report of Col. E. McNair. 

Head-quaeters 2d Brigade 

Sept. 6, 1862. 

General :— I have the honor to report the following loss and 
casualties in the 2cl brigade, 3d division, army of Kentucky, in the 
action near Richmond, 30th August, viz. : 

1st Arkansas mounted riflemen. — Killed, 8 

" "■ " Wounded, 18 

Total, 26 

4th Arkansas regiment. — Killed, 6 

« " Wounded, 17 

Total, • 23 

Baltimore mounted riflemen. — Killed, 1 

" " « Wounded, 10 

Total, 11 

30th regiment. — Killed, 1 

" Wounded, 9 

Total, 10 

4th battalion. — Wounded, 6 

In regard to the j^art my brigade took in the battle near Rich- 
mond, Ky,, I will only say that ofiicers and men did their duty, 
their whole duty. I will not particularize, lest I do some injustice, 
but will leave you and the country to judge of us. 
I am, your most obedient servant, 

E. McNAIR, 
Col. commanding Id brigade., 3d division^ Army Kentucky, 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 559 



Report of Col. J. S. Scott. 

Head-quarters Kirby Smith's Brigade, 

Lebanon, Kt., Sept. 11, 1862. 
To Major-gen. E. Kirby Smith, 

Commanding Army of Kentucky^ 

Lexington, Ky. : 

The evening of the 13th August I left Kingston, Tenn., with the 
1st cavaley^ Lieut. Nixon Conoly, 1st Georgia cavahy, Col. Mor- 
rison, and the Buclcner Guards, Capt. Jarrett, numbering in the 
aggregate 896, and passing through Montgomery, and tf amestown, 
Tenn., Monticello, and Somerset, Ky., reached London on the iVth. 
. During the night of the 16th, when 25 miles from London, I 
learned that five companies of the 3d Tennessee volunteers. Col , 
W. S. A., were stationed there. I selected 500 men from the com- 
mand and made a forced march, reaching the town about 7 o'clock 
the next morning, when I attacked the place, and after a brief re- 
sistance by the enemy I captured it, killing 13, wounding 17, and 
taking 111 prisoners. My loss was one officer and one private 
killed, none wounded. 

I took a large number of wagons laden with quarter-masters' and 
commissary's stores, a number of horses and mules, and several hun- 
dred stands of arms, all of which I have forwarded to you. 

After leaving London, I employed my command gathering mnles, 
horses, and wagons, that had been left along the road by the af- 
frighted Federals, from London to Mt. Vernon and Richmond. 
The evening of the 22d, learning that a train was coming (intended 
for the Pass), guarded by infantry and cavalry, I moved my com- 
mand to meet them. My advance came upon them at Big Still, 17 
miles from Richmond, where the fight commenced and resulted as 
stated in my former report. 

After driving in their pickets within two miles of Richmond, the 
morning of the 24th, and gathering up all the trains, horses, and mules, 
I fell back slowly to the junction of the Wild-cat and Richmond 
roads, which I reached the evening of the 25th. 

On the 27th, the 3d Tennessee cavalry. Col. Starns, was added 
to my command, and I moved on in the direction of Richmond. 

On the 27th, I made a reconnoissance of the enemy with my whole 
command, and finding them in position about three miles from 
Richmond, I fell back four miles to the infantry and reported to 
Gen. Cleburne, who was in command of the advanced division. 



5G0 OFFICFAL REPORTS OF BATTLKS. 

On the morning of the 30th, in obedience to yonr orders, I passed 
around to the west of Richmond, and took possession of the roads 
leading to Lexington. The majority of my forces were posted on 
the Lexington road, and one company on the Lancaster .road, tlie 
remainder between the two roads. About 4 o'clock, stragglers 
from the battle-field commenced passing into ray lines, and gradually 
increased in numbers until 6 o'clock, when the main body of the 
enemy, apparently about 5000 strong, with 9 pieces of artillery, 
came upon us. 

My forces, being well ambuscaded, poured a destructive fire into 
their ranks, killing about 60, and wounding a large number. The 
firing commenced, in obedience to my orders, on tlie extreme left, 
extending to the right, which was nearest Richmond ; after which, 
almost the entire force immediately surrendered. 

0\nng to the smallness of my force (about 850), I was unable to 
still guard tha roads and remove all the prisoners to the rear, con- 
sequently, a large number escaped, wandering through the cornfields 
and woodlands, it being now too dark to distinguish them, when a 
few paces ahead or distant. I am unable to state the number of 
prisoners taken by my command, owing to the fact that they were 
captured principally after dark, and during the same night were 
turned over to Gen. Preston Smith, in obedience to your orders, 
but am confident they could not fall short of 3500. I captured, 
also, nine pieces of artillery, a large number of small arms, and 
wagons loaded with army supplies. 

Among the prisoners captured, was Brig.-gcn. Manson, and a 
number of field and staff oflicei-s. 

On the morning of the 31st, I moved to the Kentucky river, and 
drove the rear guard of the enemy from the opposite bank. 

On the 1st September, I moved on, and camped near Lexington, 
and on the 2d, moved around Lexington and camped near George- 
town, and the 3d ultimo, we moved on to Frankfort, and hoisted 
the battle flag of the 1st " Louisiana" cavalry, in default of a Con- 
federate flag, on the Capitol of the State, while the rear guard of 
the enemy, about 8000 strong, were quiet spectators from the op- 
posite hills. The same evening, I detailed all my command, with 
horses in condition to travel (1450 in number), to pursue the enemy 
and harass his rear. The next morning, September 4th, they came 
upon the enemy about sunrise, near Shelbyville, and drove them 
into and thi-ough the town, and then crossed over to the railroad 
and destroyed the bridges, in obedience to your orders, and j'e- 
turned to camp near Frankfort. The 6th and Tth remained in 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 561 

camp near Frankfort. My loss, since leaving Kingston, is one of- 
ficer and 6 privates killed, 21 wounded, and 9 taken prisoners. 

Since reaching London, I have captured four thousand prisoners, 
(including those turned over to Gen', Smith and those parolled by 
me,) about 375 wagons, mostly laden with provisions and army 
stores, near 1500 mules, and a large number of horses. It has been 
imjiossible to keep an account of the wagons recaptui'ed by my com- 
mand, owing to the rapidity of ray movements. 

I cannot close this report without bearing testimony to the sol- 
dierly conduct of my command. They have endured unusual pri- 
vations and fatigues without murmur. I cannot compliment the 
commanders of the brigades too highly for the assistance rendered 
me. I would mention, that the first 106 miles of our march, over a 
rough and barren country, was made in 42 hours, having been de- 
layed one day, on account of getting our horses shod. 

The statement of the property captured at Frankfort> was handed 
in to your head-quarters by me, in person, on Saturday last. 

My forces have been materially reduced by the numerous details 
which I found it necessary to make, in order to remove wagons and 
stock to the rear, and I shall use my utmost endeavors to concen- 
trate my command at as early a day as possible. 

Hoping that the results achieved by the " Kirby Smith brigade" 
may prove satisfactory to you, general, 
I remain, very respectfully. 

Your obedient servant, 

J. S. SCOTT, 
Colonel commanding brigade. 



[The following reports having been inadvertently omitted in their 
regular order, and being a part of the history of the operations on 
the Cumberland and Tennessee rivers, are therefore inserted as a 
sujD piemen t :] 

COL. HEIMAN'S LETTER, INCLOSING REPORT IN REGARD TO BOM- 
BARDMENT AND SURRENDER OF FORT HENRY. 

Richmond, August 11, 1862. 
Adj. -gen. Cooper : 

Sir : Inclosed herewith please find my report in regard to bom- 
bardment and surrender of Fort Henry. 
36 



562 OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 

I prepared this report at Fort Donelson, immediately after the 
fall of Fort Henry, but my imprisonment after the sm-render of the 
troops at Fort Donelson prevented me from forwarding it to the 
proper authorities before now. I have now the honor to submit it 
to you with my high regards. 

Your most obedient servant, 
(Signed) A. HEIMAN, 

Colonel 10th Tennessee regiment. 



Col. Heiman's Report. 

FoKT Donelson, 

February 8th, 1862, 
Col. W. W. Mackall, 

Assistant AdJ.-gen : 

In the absence of Gen. Tilghman, who is a prisoner in the hands 
of the enemy, being next in command of his division, it becomes 
my duty, and I have the honor to submit to you the following re- 
port in regard to the bombardment and surrender of Fort Henry, 
and the subsequent retreat of its garrison to Fort Donelson. 

The armament of the fort consisted of ten 32-pounders, two 42- 
pounders, two 12-pounders, one 24-pounder rifle-gun, and one 10- 
inch columbiad. The garrison consisted of my regiment, (lOth 
Tennessee,) under command of Lieut.-col. McGavock ; the 4th Mis- 
sissippi, Col. Drake ; two comjjanies of the 3d Alabama battalion. 
Major Garvin ; a company of artillery, commanded by Capt. Taylor ; 
one company of Forrest's cavalry, Capt. Milner, and forty mounted 
men, acting Capt. Melton, stationed as picket and rocket guard, at 
Bailey's landing, three miles below the fort; Capt. Culbertson's 
light battery, (four six-pounders and one six-pounder rifle-gun,) 
amounting in all to an aggregate of 1,885 men. 

The heights on the opposite side of the river, with the unfinished 
works of Fort Heiman, were occujiied by the 27th Alabama regiment. 
Col. Hughes; the 15th Arkansas, Col. Gee; two companies of Ala- 
bama cavalry, commanded by Capts. Hubbard and Houston, and 
an unorganized company of forty men, Kentucky cavalry, Capt 
Padgett, and a section of a light battery, commanded by Lieut. 
Hankinicz, amounting in all to 1,100 men. 

At Paris landing, five miles above the fort, the 48th Tennessee, 
Col. Voorhies, aud the 51st Tennessee, Col. BAwder, were station- 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 563 

ed. These were skeleton regiments, containing, together, not more 
than four hundred men. 

With the exception of the 10th Tennessee and the 4th Mississippi, 
these were all new troops, who had just entered the service. They 
were not drilled, were badly equipped, and very indifferently armed 
with shot guns and Tennessee rifles. None of the cavalry had eith- 
er sabres or pistols, and were only partly armed, with double-bar- 
relled shot-guns ; no other equipments whatever. There was much 
sickness among the new troops, so that the forces for the defence of 
Fort Henry and Fort Heiman did not amount to more than 2,600 
effective men. There were also at Fort Henry the steamers Dun- 
bar, Capt. Fowler ; Lynn Boyd, Capt, Smedley ; Appleton Belle, 
Capt. Heffernan, (regular packet from the fort to Danville,) the 
Samuel Orr and the Patton. The latter two boats were used for 
hospitals. 

General Tilghman's division head-quarters being at Fort Donel- 
son, where he was untiring in his exertions to complete the defences 
of that post, Fort Henry, during his absence, was under my com- 
mand. On the morning of the 4th instant, at half-past four o'clock, 
the sentinel at our three-gun battery announced a rocket signal 
from the picket at Bailey's landing, wkich was immediately answer- 
ed by a rocket from the fort, when three more rockets went up 
from the picket, announcing the approach of three of the enemy's 
gunboats. The eleven guns bearing on the river were immediately 
manned and shotted, and every thing held in readiness for an attack. 
The steamers were all moved out of range of the enemy's gunboats, 
and the Dunbar and Boyd were dispatched to Paris landing for 
the two regiments stationed there. I sent a courier to Gen. Tilgh- 
nian, at Fort Donelson, informing him of these facts. Shortly after 
daylight, the pickets on both sides of the river reported a large 
fleet coming up, and the smoke from several gunboats now became 
visible over the island. I directed Capt, Ellis, of the 10th, with a 
small escort of mounted men, to proceed down on the right bank 
of the river, and Capt. Anderson, of the same regiment, on the op- 
posite bank, to reconnoitre, and ascertain whether the enemy was 
landing troops. I directed Capt. Milner, with his company of 
cavalry, to occupy the several roads leading from Bailey's landing 
to the fort, and throw forward a sufficient number of pickets and 
videttes. I directed Col. Drake to send two companies of his regi- 
ment and a section of Culbertson's battery to the rifle-pits, for the 
defence of the Dover road, about three-quarters of a mile from the 
fort, while Major Garvin occupied the rifle-pits across the road, 



56i OFFICIAL EEPOKTS OF BATTLES. 

leading to Bailey's landing. Twelve torpedoes were sunk in the 
chute of the river at the foot of the island. For want of powder 
and time, none were simk in the main channel. Those sunk were 
rendered, utterly useless by the heavy rise in the river. At about 
nine o'clock, the guuboats commenced throwing shells at the quar- 
ters of our pickets and other buildings in the neighborhood of 
Bailey's landing. 

Capt. Ellis returned, reporting eight gunboats and ten large 
transports in the river, and that they were landing their cavalry. 
He also stated that he had seen two light batteries or barges, but 
that no troops were at that time landing on the opposite side of the 
river. I again sent a courier to Gen. Tilghman, informing him of 
these facts. During all this time he had a large force at work on 
the epaulments, and trying to keep the water out of the fort. The 
lower magazine had already two feet of water in it, and the ammu- 
nition had been removed to a temporary magazine above ground, 
Avhich had but very little protection, but we had been at work day 
and night for the last week, to cover it with sand-bags and to pro- 
tect it by a traverse. At about 1.2 o'clock, five gunboats came in 
sight in the main channel. All the troops, except the heavy artil- 
lery force, were marched out of range of the enemy's guns. The 
gunboats formed in line of battle across the channel, about two 
miles below the fort, beyond the range of our 32-pounders. ' I gave 
positive orders that none of these guns should be firfd, unless the 
boats came wuthin their range ; therefore, w^e had only to depend on 
the 24-pounder rifle-gun, and the 10-inch columbiad, the latter gun 
Avith an iron carriage on an iron chassie, had, on previous trials of 
firing with twenty-pound charges, proved defective, ' owing to the 
too great recoil for the length of the chassie, or other defects. This 
was, however, remedied by clamping the carriage to the chassie, 
and even then it recoiled with such tremendous force against the 
hurters, that in almost every instance it disarranged the pintle. I 
have since learned that this defect was common to these guns. 

At about one o'clock, the gunboats of>ened fire with shell and 
shot, which was immediately returned by our rifled gun, and 10-inch 
columbiad. The former fired archer shells. At the third or fourth 
fire, one of the clamps of the columbiad broke, and fearing that 
another fire would upset the gun, it was not fired again. The rifled 
gun was fired in quick succession, and with good efiect ; meanwhile 
the gunboats kept up a constant fire with good practice. As the 
boats advanced, we opened fire with the eleven guns bearing on the 
river, which was' kept up for about half an hour, when the enemy 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLE?. 565 

withdrew. Their shot fell in and around the fort. Some of their 
shells fell a quarter of a mile beyond the fort, showing a range su- 
perior to our own. None of the shells which fell in the fort 
exploded, and but one man was wounded. I reported the result to 
Gen. Tilghman, and that the enemy was landing a large force, and 
that additional transports were arriving. I was satisfied that we 
could not hold the heights opposite the fort, and that it w^ould be 
prudent to move the forces from there to Fort Henry, but did not 
like to take the i-esponsibility, without the order of Gen. Tilghman, 
as a previous order from you stated positively that these heights 
must be held. However, these troops were held in readiness to 
move at a moment's warning. At five o'clock I sent another 
courier, with an escort, to the general, stating my views in regard 
to the troops at Fort Heiman, and requesting his orders, " or what 
I desired more, his presence," and cautioned him not to come with- 
out a strong escort, and by the upper road, believing that the 
enemy had already cavalry pickets on the main Dover road. Be- 
fore night, I reinforced the outposts on the Dover road with tw^o 
companies of the 10th Tennessee, under Capts, Morgan and Ford, 
and the 6-pounder rifled gun. At half-past eleven, Gen. Tilghman 
and Major Gilmer's corps of engineers arrived, with three cora- 
25anies of Lieut.-col. Gantt's cavalry, from Fort Donelson. At day. 
light, on the morning of the 5th, Gen. Tilghman directed the 
removal of the troops from Fort Heiman to Fort Henry, with the 
exception of the cavalry. Gen. Tilghman now formed the troops at 
the fort into two brigades. The first commanded by myself, con- 
sisting of the 10th Tennessee, Lieut.-col. McGavock, 48th Tennes- 
see, Col. Browder, 51st Tennessee, Col. Voorhies, Col. Gantt's bat- 
talion of Cavalry, and Capt. Culbertson's light battery. The second 
brigade, under command of Col. Drake, consisted of the 4th Missis- 
sippi, Major Adair, 27th Alabama, Col. Hughes, Alabama battalion. 
Major Garvi^n, Capts. Milner's and Melton's cavalry, and section 
of light battery, Capt. Clare. He appointed Major McComice 
assistant-adj.-gen., and Lieut. Phar aid-de-camp, his own staff hav- 
ing remained at Fort Donelson. Gen. Tilghman assigned each 
brigade its position at the rifle-pits, and all preparations were 
made to receive the enemy by land and watei*. 

A reconnoitring party of cavalry met the enemy, and in a skir 
mish one man of Capt. Milner's company was killed. Gen. Tilgh- 
man then ordered out a battalion of the 10th Tennessee, a battalion 
of the 4th Mississippi, and Milner's cavalry, and proceeded in person 
with them to the scene of the skirmish, but the enemy had retired, 



56G OFFICIAL KEPORTS OF BATTLES. 

During the night, Col. Milton A. Haynes, of the ai'tillery, arrivecl 
from Fort Donelson to give his aid in the coming engagement, and 
brought information that in obedience to orders from Gen. Tilgh- 
man, Col. Head would send two regiments to Kirkman's furnace 
from Fort Donelson next morning, which is half way between the 
forts, to act as a reserve. Early on the morning of the 6 th, heavy 
volumes of black smoke rose over the island, manifesting that' the 
fleet was not to remain idle long ; and judging from the number of 
transports in the river, they must have landed a very large force 
during the two days and nights ; and, as it was afterwards ascer- 
tained, Gen. Grant had 12,000 men between the fort and Bailey's 
landing, and Gen. Smith 6,000 men on the opposite bank of the 
river. At about ten o'clock in the morning. Gen. Tilghman and 
Major Gilmer came in a small boat from the steamer Dunbar, which 
was lying during the night at Fort Heiman, and prepared for the 
engagement on hand. At eleven o'clock the gunboats made their 
appearance in the chute, seven in number, and formed in line of 
battle two miles from the fort. Gen. Tilghman ordered the troops 
to be marched out of range of the enemy's "guns. None were per- 
mitted to remain in the fort but those on duty with the artillery, 
who were under the command of Capt. Taylor. 

Gen. Tilghman, with his staff", took position at the centre battery, 
to observe the movements of the gunboats, and direct the firing of 
our batteries. The enemy opened fire with shot and shell, which 
was returned by our 10-inch columbiad and 24-pounder rifled gun, 
until they came in range of the ligliter guns, when the whole eleven 
guns bearing on the river opened fire. The enemy's practice im- 
l>roved as they advanced. The firing on both sides was without a 
moment's intermission. Shot after shot were exchanged, with ad- 
mirable rapidity and precision, and the enemy's shell struck and 
exploded in every direction. Unfortunately, our most reliable gun, 
the 24-pounder rifle, bursted, wounding all the men who served it. 
Shortly afterwards the vent of the 10-inch columbiacl closed, and 
could not be opened. Our reliance was now on the 32 and 42- 
pounders, and, I regret to state, for the latter we had not the proper 
ammunition. Shortly afterwards, a premature explosion of one of 
the guns killed two men. By this time we had lost the use of five 
guns, but a constant fire was kept up on both sides, the gunboats 
nearing all the time ; their point-blank rang.e telling fearfully on the 
fort, while we had to depress our guns and change our range after 
every shot. This unetpial fire was kept up with an energy wluch 
does great credit to the officers and men at the guns. 



OFFICIAL EEPOETS OF BATTLES. 667 

This fearful cannonading had lasted now over an hour, and it was 
evident the fort could not hold out much longer. Major Gilmer 
called my attention to the state of aifairs, requesting me to state to 
Gen. Tilghman that it was useless to hold out longer ; to keep up 
this useless contest would cost the lives of many more, without any 
possible advantage to the result. I replied to Major Gilmer that 
these were ray views, but that I would not like to make any sugges- 
tions to the general; that he must be his own judge in regard to 
this affixir. When Gen. Tilghman was shortly after reminded of 
the state of aifairs, he would not entertain the idea of a surrender, 
stating that he had as yet lost but few men, and inquired the reason 
why some of the guns had ceased firing. He was told tliat several 
of the men were killed, many wounded, and all the rest exhausted, 
and that we had no men to relieve them. The general threw off 
his coat, sprang on the chassie of the nearest gun, stating that he 
Avould work it himself, ordering, at the same time, fifty men of my 
regiment to the fort to assist the gunners. Seeing nobody whom I 
could send for them, I started myself, the bombardment still going 
on unabated ; but, before I could reach the command, the boats 
were so close to the fort that further resistance was impossible. The 
flag was hauled down, and the firing ceased. 

I returned, in person, immediately to the fort for further orders. 
Gen, Tilghman informed me that he had surrendered, believing that 
it was his duty to do so, as every military man would see the impos- 
sibility of holding the fort against such fearful odds, and stating to 
me that I was not included in the surrender, as I was not in the 
fort at the time the flag was struck, and directed me to continue 
the retreat according to orders at Fort Douelson, by the upper road, 
having gained all the time, necessary for a safe retreat. Owing to 
bad roads, the high water, and the close pursuit of the enemy's 
cavalry, I found it a physical impossibility to save the light artil- 
lery. 

About three iJKes fj'om the fort, our rear was attacked by the 
enemy's cavalry. T^heir fire was handsomely returned by Col. Gee 
and Major Garvin. Major Lee, of the 15th Arkansas, and Captain 
Leach, of the Alabama battalion, were surrounded and made j^rison- 
ers. We sustained no other loss. 

I may be permitted to state, that the self-sacrificing heroism dis- 
played by Gen. Tilghman in this terrible and most unequal straggle, 
challenges the admiration of all gallant men, and entitles him to the 
gratitude of the whole people of the Confederate States. The tact, 
skill, and untiring energy which characterized his whole course, 



568 OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATfLES. 

while in command of the defence of the Tennessee and Cumberland 
rivers, proved him a most skilful and gallant leader. 

During the bombardment of Fort Henry, Gen. Tilghman was 
ably assisted by Major Gilmer, Col. Haynes, Major McComice, 
Capts. Miller and Haydon (Engineers), Capt. Taylor, Lieuts. Watts 
and Waller, and Capt. G. R. G. Jones, and the men under their 
command deserve particular credit for the effective and energetic 
manner in which they managed their guns. 

My thanks are eminently due to Col. Drake, and the regimental 
and detachment commanders, for the able and orderly manner in 
which they conducted their commands. 

The events which followed so closely upon the fall of Fort Henry 
—the surrender of the troops at Fort Donelson, and my own im- 
prisonment (from which I have just been released), have prevented 
me from forwarding this report at an earlier date. 

Very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
(Signed) A. HEIMAN, 

Col. commanding 1st Brigade^ Tilghman' s Division. 



Answer of Col. Forrest to Interrogations propounded by the Spe- 
cial Committee of the House of Representatives of the Confed- 
erate Congress, charged loith the duty of inquiring vito the 
management of the Quarter-master and Commissary Dep)art- 
tnent, about the time of the surrender of the City of Nashville. 

Interrogatory \st.—l was not at the city of Nashville at the time 
of its surrender, but was there at the time the enemy made tbeir 
entrance into that part of the city known as Edgefield, having left 
Fort Donelson, with my command, on the morning of its sun-ender, 
and reached Nashville oa Tuesday, February isjfabout 10 o'clock 
A. M. I remained in the city up to the Sunday evening following. 

Interrogatory 2d.— It would be impossible to state from the data 
before me, the value of the stores, either in the quarter-master or 
commissary departments. Having no papers then, nor any jire- 
vious knowledge of the stores. The stores in the quarter-master's 
department consisted of all stores necessary to the department- 
clothing, especially, in large amounts, shoes, harness, etc., with 
considerable unmanufactured material. The commissary stores, 
were meat, flour, sugar, molasses, and coffee. There was a very 



OFFICIAL KP:P0RTS OF BATTLES. 569 

large amount of meat in store, and on the landing, at ray arrival, 
though large amounts had already been carried away by citizens. 

Interrogatory 3c?. — A portion of these stores had been removed 
before the surrender. A considerable amount of meat on the land- 
ing, I was informed, was thrown into the river on Sunday, before 
my arrival^ and carried off by the citizens. The doors of the com- 
missary depot were thrown open, and the citizens, in dense crowds, 
were packing and hauling off the balance, at the time of my arrival, 
on Tuesday. The quarter-master's stores were also open, and the 
citizens were invited to come and help themselves, which they did, 
in larger crowds, if possible, than at the other department. 

Interrogatories ^th and 5th. — On Tuesday morning, I was or- 
dered by Gen. Floyd to take command of the city, and attempted 
to drive the mob from the doors of the departments, which mob 
was composed of straggling soldiers and citizens of all grades. The 
mob had taken possession of the city to that extent, that every spe- 
cies of property was unsafe. Houses were closed, carriages and 
wao-ons wei-e .concealed, to prevent the mob from taking possession 
of them. Houses were being seized everywhere. I had to call out 
my cavalry, and after every other means failed, charge the mob, 
before I could get it so dispersed as to get wagons to the doors of 
the departments, to load up the stores for transportation. After 
the mob was partially dispersed.and quiet restored, a number of cit- 
izens furnished wagons and assisted in loading them. I was busily 
eno-aged in this work on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. I trans- 
ported YOO large boxes of clothing to the Nashville and Chattanoo- 
ga railroad depot, several hundred bales osnaburgs and other mili- 
tary goods from the quarter-master's department* most, if not all 
the shoes having been seized by the mob, I removed about 700 
or 800 wagon loads of meat. The high water having destroyed 
the bridges, so as to stop the transportation over the Nashville and 
Chattanooga railroad, I had large amounts of this meat taken over 
the Tennessee and ^labama railroad. By examination on Sunday 
morning, I found a large amount of fixed ammunition, in the shape 
of cartridges and ammunition for light artillery, in the magazine, 
which, with the assistance of Gen. Harding, I conveyed over seven 
miles on the Tennessee and Alabama railroad, in wagons, to the 
amount of 30 odd wagon loads, after the enemy had reached the 
river. A portion was sent on to Murfreesboro' in wagons. The 
quarter-master stores which had not already fallen into the hands 
of the mob, were all removed, save a lot of rope, loose shoes, and a 
laro-e number of tents. The mob had already possessed themselves 



570 OFFICIiU. EEP0KT8 OF BATTLES. 

of a large amount of these stores. A large quantity of meat was 
left in store, and on tlie river bank, and some at the Nashville and 
Chattanooga railroad depot, on account of the break in the railroad. 
I cannot estimate the amount, as several storehouses had not been 
opened up to the time of my leaving. All stores left fell into the 
hands of the enemy, except forty pieces of light artillery, which 
■were burned and spiked by order of Gen. Floyd, as were the guns 
at Fort ZoUicoffer. My proposition to remove these stores, made 
by telegraph, to Murfreesboro', had the sanction of Gen. A. S. 
Johnston. 

Interrogatory Qth. No effort was made, save by the mob, who 
were endeavoring to possess themselves of these stores, to prevent 
their removal, and a very large amount was taken off before I was 
placed in command of the city. 

Interrogatory 1th. It was (eight days) from the time the quai*- 
ter-master left the city before the arrival of the enemy — commissai'- 
ies and other persons connected with these departments leaving at 
the same time. With proper diligence on their part, I have no 
doubt all the public stores might have been transported to places 
of safety. 

Interrogatory Sth. Up to Saturday the railroads were open, and 
might have been used to transport these stores. Saturday the 
bridges of the Nashville and Chattanooga railroad gave way. Be- 
sides these modes of conveyance, a large number of wagons might 
have been obtained, had the quiet and order of the city been main- 
tained, and large additional amounts of stores might, by these 
means, have been transported to places of safety. 

Interrogatories Qth afid 10th. — I saw no officer connected with 
the quarter-master or commissary departments, except Mr. Patton, 
who left on Friday. I did not, at any time, meet or hear of Major 
J. K. Stevenson in the city during ray stay there. 

Interrogatories llth, 12th and ISth. — From ray personal knowl- 
edge, I can say nothing of the manner in which Major Stevenson 
left the city. Common rumor and many reliable citizens informed 
me that Major Stevenson left by a special train, Sunday evening, 
February the 16th, taking personal baggage, furniture, carriage, 
and carriage horses ; the train ordered by himself^ as President of 
the railroad. 

Interrogatory lith. All the means of transportation were ac- 
tually necessary for the transportation of Government stores, of 
sick and wounded soldiers — many of whom fell into the hands of 
the enemy for want of it, and who might have been saved by the 



OFFICIAL REPORTS OF BATTLES. 571 

proper use of the means at band. The necessity for these raeana 
of transportation for stores Avill be seen by the above answers 
which I have given. I have been compelled to be as brief as pos- 
sible, in making the above answers, my whole time being engaged, 
as we seem to be upon the eve of another great battle. The city 
was in a much worse condition than I can convey the idea of, on 
paper, and the loss of public stores must be estimated by millions 
of dollars. The panic was entirely useless, and not at all justified 
by the circumstances. Gen. Harding and the Mayor of the city, 
with Mr. Williams, deserve special mention for assistance rendered 
in removing the public property. In my judgment, if the quarter- 
master and commissary had remained at their post, and worked 
diligently, with the means at their command, the Government 
stores might all have been saved between the time of the fall oi 
Fort Donelson and the arrival of the enemy in ISTashville. 
Respectfully submitted by 

A. B. FORREST, 
Colonel commanding Forrest's Brigade Cavalry. 



INDEX 



PAGE, 

MANASSAS: 

Keport of General Beauregard of the battle of 5 

PENSAOOLA NAVY YAED AND FORTS : 

Eeport of Brigadier-general S. M. Jones, concerning the evacua- 
tion of 32 

FORT HENRY: 

Letter of Brigadier-general THghman, transmitting report of bom- 
bardment of ^" 

Eeport of General Tilghman of bombardment of 37 

General Tilghman's supplemental report 48 

List of commissioned officers surrendered at 49 

List of non-commissioned officers surrendered at _ 49 

Colonel Heiman's letter inclosing report in regard to bombard- 
ment of ^^1 

Colonel Heiman's report of bombardment of 562 

FORT DONELSON: 

Brigadier-general Floyd's report of the battle of 50 

Supplemental report of Brigadier-general Floyd 55 

Report of Brigadier-general Pillow of battle of 63 

Supplemental report of General Pillow 73 

Colonel Burch's statement 88 

Colonel Forrest's statement 85 

Major Henry's statement •. , 87 

Major Ilayne's statement 89 

Hunter Nicholson's statement 91 

Response of General Pillow to order of the Secretary of War 94 

Original report of General S. B. Buckner 98 

Official report of operations of General 8. B. Buckner's division. . . 100 

Correspondence referred to in General Buckner's report 112 

Report of Lieuteuant-colonel J. F. Gihner 113 

Report of Colonel J. 0. Wharton 123 

Report of Colonel John McCausland 125 

Report of Colonel W. E. Baldwin 126 



574 INDEX. 

FORT DON'ELSON'— Continued : page. 

Summary of killed and wounded in Second Brigade 132 

Report of Colonel John M. Lillard : . . 133 

Report of Major W. M. Brown 134 

Report of Colonel John C. Brown 142 

Report of Major K F. Cheairs 146 

Report of Colonel Joseph B. Palmer 148 

Report of Colonel Edward C. Cook 154 

Report of Major W. L. Doss » 157 

List of casualties in the Fourteenth Mississippi regiment 159 

Report of Colonel Robert Farquharson 160 

Report of Colonel A. Heiman 162 

Report of Forty-second Tennessee regiment 167 

Report of Colonel John W. Head 168 

Report of Colonel Roger "W. Hanson 171 

Report of Colonel John Gregg 174 

Smnmary of killed and wounded in Second Division, Central Army 

of Kentucky - 175 

Estimate of killed and wounded in General Pillow's command, re- 
porting through General Buckner 176 

NEW MEXICO: 

Brigadier-general W. U. Sibley's report of the operations of the 

army in 177 

Dispatches from Captain Tom P. Ochiltree 185 

Colonel Scurry's report of the battle of Glorietta 186 

Colonel Green's report of the battle of Valverde 190 

Colonel Scurry's report of the battle of Valverde 195 

Major R. W. Ragnett's report of battle of Valverde 199 

Report of Major C. S. Pyron of battle of Valverde 202 

Report of Captain Powhatan Jordan of battle of Valverde 204 

Report of Captain T. T. Teel of battle of Valverde 205 

COLUMBUS : 

Report of Major-general Polk of the evacuation of. 207 

SHILOH : 

General Beauregard's report of the battle of 209 

Special orders as to movements of troops 219 

Killed, wounded, and missing in battle of. 222 

List of Flags captured at the battle of 223 

Field return of the Army of the Mississippi before and after the 

battle of. 224 

Letter of General Braxton Bragg, transmitting his report of the 

battle of 224 

Report of General Braxton Bragg 225 • 

Field returns of Second Corps of Army of the Mississippi 2-1 

Report of Brigadier-general Withers 234 



INDEX. 575 

SHILOH— Contimied : page 

Report of Colonel J. C. Loomis, commanding First Brigade 240 

Report of Colonel D. W. Adams 241 

Report of Colonel Z. C. Deas, commanding First Brigade 244 

Report of Colonel Deas, of operations of Twenty-second Alabama 

Regiment 246 

Report of Lieutenant-Colonel S. W. Cayce 247 

Letter of Major F. Stewart to Colonel Loomis 248 

Report of Lieutenant-colonel J. 0. Marrast 248 

Report of Colonel J. 0. Loomis of 25th Alabama regiment 251 

Report of Lieutenant-colonel W. D. Chadwick 252 

Report of Brigadier-general James R. Chalmers 255 

Report of Brigadier-general J. K. Jackson. 264 

Report of Colonel J. C. Moore, in action of April 6th 268 

Report of Colonel John C. Moore, in action of April 7th 272 

Special report of Colonel John C. Moore 273 

Report of Colonel Joseph Wheeler 275 

Repoi't of Captain Girardey 278 

Report of Brigadier-general Ruggles 281 

Report of Colonel Randall Lee Gibson 285 

Report of Colonel B. L. Hodge 288 

Report of Colonel James T. Fagan 292 

Report of Captain E. M. Dubroca 2i'5 

Report of Colonel H. W. Allen 296 

Report of General Patton Anderson 209 

Report of Colonel W. A. Stanley 311 

Report of Colonel S. S. Heard 313 

Report of Lieutenant-colonel Charles Jones 314 

Report of Major F. H. Clack 316 

Report of Colonel Augustus Richard 320 

Report of Captain W. G. Poole 322 

Report of Captain Hodgson 323 

Supplemental report of Captain Hodgson 326 

Captain Hodgson's report, referring to reports of 9th and 11th in- 
stants 327 

Report of Colonel P. Pond, Jr 327 

Report of casualties in the Third Brigade, First Division 332 

Report of Colonel Alfred Monton 332 

Report of Colonel E. S. Shorter 335 

Report of Colonel R. F. Looney 336 

Report of Major Daniel Gober 338 

Report of Captain W, H. Ketchum 339 

Report of Colonel Marshall J. Smith 343 

Casualties in Alabama Cavalry 346 

Report of Captain T. F. Jenkins, First Battalion Alabama Caval- 
ry 347 

Report of Captain Tomlinson 347 



576 INDEX. 

S H ILOH —Continued : page. 

Keport of Captain Cox 34S 

Eeport of Captain Robins 849 

JACKSONVILLE : 

Colonel Dihvorth's report of the evacuation of 350 

List of prisoners captured in this department 351 

List of prisoners captured on the 11th of April 352 

Letter of Colonel Dilworth inclosing report of Colonel Davis and 

order of Brigadier-geiaeral Trapier 352 

Order of General Trapier to Colonel Davis 853 

Letter of Colonel Davis, First Cavalry, in regard to the condition 

of horses, &c 353 

Report of Colonel W. G. M. Davis 855 

Report of A. A. A. General, E. E. "Whitner 356 

KEW ORLEANS: 

Letter of Mnjor-general Lovell, transmitting reports in relation to 

the bombardment of Forts Jackson and St. Philip, and the fall of, 356 
Report of Major-general Lovell of events attendant upon the fall 

of 357 

Report of Brigadier-general Duncan of the bombardment of Forts 

Jackson and St. Philip , 368 

Report of Colonel Edward Higgins of the bombardment of Fort 

Jackson 403 

Supplemental report of Colonel Higgins 407 

Report of Captain T. M. Squires of the bombardment of Fort St. 

Philip 408 

List of killed and wounded during the eight days' bombardment of 

Fort Jackson 411 

List of killed and wounded in Fort St. Philip 413 

Brigadier-general M. L. Smith's report of operations on the Chal- 

mette and McGee lines 413 

SOUTH MILLS : 

Report of Major-general Huger of the affair at 415 

TENNESSEE RIVER: 

Report of Brigadier-general Leadbetter of operations on the, and 
of the affair at Bridgeport 419 

PRINCETON : 

Brigadier-general Humphrey Marshall's report of the affair at ... . 423 

Articles captured from the enemy at 429 

List of prisoners captured at 429 

Letters foimd in General Cox's Camp at 431 

CROOKED RIVER : 

Captain Blocker's report of the engagement with the enemy on . . 435 



INDEX. 



677 



CORINTH : paob. 

General Beauregard's report of the evacuation of 436 

Northern newspaper correspondence and oflBcial telegraphic dis- 
patches of Generals HaUeck and Pope, touching the evacuation of, 440 
Letter of General Beauregard, absenting himself from his command, 454 

JAMES ISLAND : 

Major-general Pemberton's report of the engagement on 455 

Report of Brigadier-general N. G. Evans 459 

Report of Colonel Lamar 461 

Report of Major David Ramsey 466 

Report of Lieutenant-colonel A, D. Smith 468 

Report of Colonel Johnson Hagood 469 

Report of Colonel C. W. Stevens 471 

List of casualties in 24th Regiment, South Carolina Volunteers .... 472 

Report of Lieutenant-colonel Charles H. Simonton 473 

Casualties in Eutaw Regiment 474 

Report of Lieutenant R. A. Blum 475 

Report of Captain J. E. Adger 476 

Report of Lieutenant-colonel J. E. McEnery 470 

Report of Colonel S. D. Goodlett 479 

Letter of Brigadier-general Isaac I. Stevens, commanding Federal 

forces 480 

Reply of Brigadier-general N. G. Evans to letter of General 

Stevens 481 

List of killed, wounded, and missing in the engagement on 481 

Names <3f individuals reported by commanders as distinguished 

for gallant conduct in the engagement on . c 487 

KENTUCKY: 

Report of Brigadier-general Morgan of the expedition into 489 

Report of Lieutenant-colonel B. W. Duke 494 

Report of Lieutenant-colonel F. M. Nix 496 

Report of Major R. M. Gano 497 

Report of Lieutenant Harris 502 

George Ellsworth's dispatches 503 

PENINSULA : 

Major-general Magruder's report of the operations on the 515 

Report of Brigadier-general McLaws. 524 

Report of Colonel William M. Levy 525 

Report of Colonel Goode Bryan 527 

Report of Lieutenant-Colonel Ihue 528 

Report of Colonel H. C. Cabell 537 

Report of Captain M. Stanley 535 

PINOKNEY ISLAND: 

Letter of Major-general J. C. Pemberton, inclosing reports of Col- 
onel W. S. Walker and Captain Stephen Elliott, in reference to 

the expedition to 537 

37 



678 INDEX. W^^H--^ 

4 

PmOKNEY ISLAND— Continued: pagb 

Report of Colonel W. S. Walker 538 

Report of Captain Stephen Elliott 539 

List of prisoners at Macphersonville, S. 541 

List of Prisoners at Hardeeville, S. 542 

Casualties 542 

Order of General D. Hunter of Federal army 542 

GALLATAN : 

Report of Colonel J. H. Morgan of the affair near 543 

Proclamation of General Morgan 547 

BRIDGEPORT AND BATTLE CREEK: 

Report of Brigadier-general S. B. Masby, operations of the army at, 548 

RICHMOND, KY.: 

Report of General E. Kirby Smith of the engagement with the 

enemy near 551 

Detailed report of General Smith 552 

Report of Brigadier-general Churchill 555 

Report of Colonel E. McNair 558 

Report of Colonel J. S. Scott 559 

ITASHVILLE : 

Answer of Colonel Forrest to interrogatories propounded by Con- 
gressional Committee, in regard to the management of the quar- 
ter-master and conmaissary departments aboat the time of the 
surrender of 568 



